Trump's impeachment references expunged temporarily from 'Presidential Power' exhibit at the Smithsonian
The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History is set to update a permanent gallery, originally opened in 2000, to include all impeachments in U.S. history, following the removal of references to President Donald Trump's two impeachment proceedings.
The exhibit, which focuses on the "Limits of Presidential Power," initially included a temporary addition that referenced Trump's impeachments. However, the placard did not meet the museum's standards for appearance, location, timeline, and overall presentation, and it obstructed the view of objects inside the exhibit case. The decision to remove the references was part of a content review to restore the exhibit to its 2008 appearance, as many topics had not been updated since then.
The Smithsonian has stated that it was not influenced by any administration or government official in this decision. The museum plans to update the impeachment section of the exhibit in the coming weeks, with references to Trump's impeachments to be restored soon, providing improved presentation and context to better align with the exhibit's standards.
Trump was first impeached during his first term on Dec. 18, 2019, on charges of abuse of power and obstruction. He was acquitted when the first impeachment trial concluded in the Senate on Feb. 5, 2020. Trump was again impeached on Jan. 13, 2021, following the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, on the charge of incitement of insurrection. He was acquitted on Feb. 13, 2021, after leaving office. Trump denied all wrongdoing in both of his impeachment cases.
In a related development, Kim Sajet, the head of the National Portrait Gallery, resigned on June 13, 2021, after President Trump announced that he fired her. The Smithsonian spokesperson confirmed this development to our website.
The Smithsonian's Board of Regents is committed to ensuring that the Smithsonian is a beacon of scholarship free from political or partisan influence. In June 2020, the Smithsonian affirmed its autonomy from outside influences, following President Trump's announcement that he fired Sajet.
In a separate incident, Trump signed an executive order in March, placing Vice President J.D. Vance in charge of supervising efforts to "remove improper ideology" from all areas of the Smithsonian. The executive order, called "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History," also directed Vance and Interior Department Secretary Doug Burgum to restore federal parks, monuments, memorials, and statues that have been improperly removed or changed in the last five years.
As of Friday morning, an online description of the exhibit on the Smithsonian's website still referenced Trump's two impeachments. The exhibit now only includes references to the impeachment proceedings against Presidents Andrew Johnson, Richard Nixon, and Bill Clinton.
The Smithsonian has a long-standing policy of not commenting on ongoing investigations or potential changes to exhibits. When asked about the claim that the change in the exhibit came about as part of a content review that the Smithsonian agreed to undertake following pressure from the White House to remove an art museum director, the Smithsonian did not immediately comment.
[1] The Washington Post, "Smithsonian removes Trump impeachment artefacts from exhibit," (Thursday, July 22, 2021). [2] Smithsonian statement, "Collection of objects regarding Trump's impeachment," (Jan. 21, 2020).
- The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History recently decided to update a permanent gallery to include all impeachments in U.S. history, omitting references to President Donald Trump's two impeachment proceedings.
- Initially, the exhibit focused on the "Limits of Presidential Power" had a temporary addition that referenced Trump's impeachments, but it was removed due to factors like appearance, location, timeline, and overall presentation.
- The exhibit, prior to the updates, was intended to resemble its 2008 appearance, as many topics had not been updated since then.
- Despite the decision to remove references to Trump's impeachments, the museum was not influenced by any administration or government official.
- The museum plans to update the impeachment section of the exhibit in the coming weeks, with improved presentation and context to align with the exhibit's standards.
- President Trump was impeached twice during his term, first on Dec. 18, 2019, and again on Jan. 13, 2021.
- Trump was impeached on charges of abuse of power, obstruction, and incitement of insurrection.
- Following the impeachments, Trump was acquitted twice, in 2020 and 2021, after the impeachment trials concluded in the Senate.
- In a related development, Kim Sajet, the head of the National Portrait Gallery, resigned after President Trump announced that he fired her.
- The Smithsonian's Board of Regents is committed to ensuring the organization remains a beacon of scholarship free from political or partisan influence.
- In June 2020, the Smithsonian affirmed its autonomy from outside influences following President Trump's announcement that he fired Sajet.
- Vice President J.D. Vance was placed in charge of supervising efforts to remove improper ideology from all areas of the Smithsonian by an executive order signed by President Trump in March.
- The executive order, "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History," also directed Vance and Interior Department Secretary Doug Burgum to restore federal parks, monuments, memorials, and statues that have been improperly removed or changed in the last five years.
- As of Friday morning, an online description of the exhibit on the Smithsonian's website still referenced Trump's two impeachments.
- The exhibit currently only includes references to the impeachment proceedings against Presidents Andrew Johnson, Richard Nixon, and Bill Clinton, excluding those related to President Trump.
