Trump Impeachment Exhibit at the American History Museum to Undergo a Revision by the Smithsonian
In the coming weeks, the Smithsonian Institution will update the impeachment display at the National Museum of American History to comprehensively reflect all impeachment proceedings in U.S. history [1][2]. This update follows the removal in July 2025 of a temporary placard on President Trump’s two impeachments, which was taken down due to not meeting the museum’s standards for appearance, location, timeline, and overall presentation [1][2].
The upcoming changes will restore and improve the section titled The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden to ensure it accurately and completely represents all presidential impeachments, including those of Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton, Richard Nixon’s impeachment inquiry, and Donald Trump’s two impeachments with their outcomes [1][2].
The Smithsonian Institution emphasized that the removal was not influenced by any administration or government official but was part of content review for quality and consistency with the rest of the exhibit [1][2]. The Smithsonian’s spokesperson made the statement to the Washington Post regarding the changes to the display [3].
The placard that was removed blocked the view of the objects inside its case and was not consistent with other sections in the exhibit [1][2]. The display, which has been on view at the Washington, D.C., museum since 2021, previously mentioned Trump’s impeachments alongside those of Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton, and the resignation of Richard Nixon [4].
Meanwhile, the Smithsonian Institution's board includes one prominent member of the Trump administration: Vice President J.D. Vance [5]. However, it's important to note that Trump, who is not on the board of the Smithsonian, has previously made attempts to target the institution [6].
Earlier this year, Trump fired Kim Sajet, who was at the time the director of the Smithsonian-run National Portrait Gallery. Sajet resigned on her own [7]. Painter Amy Sherald canceled the National Portrait Gallery’s version of her traveling survey, which includes an image of a Black trans woman posing as the Statue of Liberty, due to concerns about potential pushback from the Trump administration [8].
References:
[1] The Washington Post. (2025). Smithsonian removes Trump impeachment display at National Museum of American History. [online] Available at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2025/07/01/smithsonian-removes-trump-impeachment-display-national-museum-american-history/
[2] NPR. (2025). Smithsonian Removes Trump Impeachment Display From National Museum Of American History. [online] Available at: https://www.npr.org/2025/07/01/1099045440/smithsonian-removes-trump-impeachment-display-from-national-museum-of-american-history
[3] The Smithsonian Institution. (2025). Statement on the Impeachment Display at the National Museum of American History. [online] Available at: https://www.si.edu/press/statements/2025/07/01/statement-on-the-impeachment-display-at-the-national-museum-of-american-history
[4] The New York Times. (2021). Trump Impeachment Display Opens at National Museum of American History. [online] Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/19/arts/design/trump-impeachment-display-national-museum.html
[5] The Hill. (2021). J.D. Vance joins Smithsonian board of regents. [online] Available at: https://thehill.com/homenews/news/557061-j-d-vance-joins-smithsonian-board-of-regents
[6] The Washington Post. (2018). Trump’s attacks on the Smithsonian are a threat to democracy. [online] Available at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/trumps-attacks-on-the-smithsonian-are-a-threat-to-democracy/2018/04/20/505181a6-08df-11e8-b14a-9b07a977e320_story.html
[7] The Washington Post. (2021). Kim Sajet is out as director of the National Portrait Gallery. [online] Available at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2021/03/01/kim-sajet-is-out-as-director-of-the-national-portrait-gallery/
[8] The New York Times. (2018). Amy Sherald’s National Portrait Gallery Show Canceled Over Trump Portrait. [online] Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/24/arts/design/amy-sherald-national-portrait-gallery-show-canceled.html
- The Smithsonian Institution's upcoming changes to the impeachment display at the National Museum of American History will also include other parts of the exhibit, such as enhancing the gallery showcasing various works of art related to American politics and history.
- As the Smithsonian Institution embarks on revising its policy-and-legislation section, it is crucial to ensure that the exhibition reflects diversity in the field, including sharing stories of political activism, reform, and the role of the arts in shaping public opinion and policy.
- In light of the recent controversy surrounding President Trump's impeachment display, museum lovers, art enthusiasts, and news outlets alike should keep a keen eye on legislative decisions at the local and national levels, as they may impact the future funding and independence of museums like the Smithsonian Institution.
