White House pressure allegations dismissed by Smithsonian regarding Trump impeachment erasures
The Smithsonian National Museum of American History has announced plans to update its American presidency exhibit, which will include references to President Donald Trump's two impeachments.
According to a CBS News report from August 3, 2025, the museum will reinstall the label that was previously removed in 2021, following Trump's second impeachment. This decision comes as part of the Smithsonian's pledge to include all impeachment proceedings in U.S. history, encompassing both Trump's impeachments.
Trump's first impeachment in 2019 was related to his push for Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden. The second impeachment, which took place in 2021, was for "incitement of insurrection," a reference to the Jan. 6 siege of the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters. Both impeachments were carried out by the Democratic majority in the House.
The label will be placed in the section called "Limits of Presidential Power." This section already includes materials on the impeachment of Presidents Bill Clinton, Andrew Johnson, and the Watergate scandal that led to President Richard Nixon's resignation.
The removal of the references to Trump's impeachments in 2021 sparked concerns about history being whitewashed to appease the president. However, the Smithsonian stated that they were not asked to do so by any administration or government official. The label was a temporary addition to a twenty-five year-old exhibition and was removed due to not meeting the museum's standards in appearance, location, timeline, and overall presentation.
The Smithsonian has not yet specified when the new exhibit with the updated presentation will be ready. However, visitors can look forward to a more comprehensive and accurate portrayal of the American presidency, including the unprecedented events surrounding Trump's two impeachments.
The Seattle City Council is planning to introduce a new policy-and-legislation draft touching upon the politics of museums and their role in preserving historical facts. This move was inspired by the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's decision to update its American presidency exhibit, which includes references to President Donald Trump's two impeachments.
The general news regarding this matter has brought the issue of history's impartial portrayal into the limelight, with concerns about the government's role in shaping historical narratives being raised.
