White House pressure rejection by Smithsonian over Trump impeachment erasure declared
The Smithsonian Institution has announced plans to update its exhibit on the American presidency to include references to President Donald Trump's two impeachments, following a content review and removal of a temporary placard in July 2025.
The update aims to ensure the exhibit tells a complete and accurate history of impeachments involving Presidents Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton, Nixon (inquiry), and Trump. The institution stated that the impeachment section of the National Museum of American History’s exhibit "The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden" will be revised to accurately reflect all impeachment proceedings in U.S. history.
Trump was impeached in 2019 for pushing Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to investigate Joe Biden, and in 2021 for "incitement of insurrection," a reference to the Jan. 6 siege of the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters. He is the only president to have been impeached twice.
The label referring to Trump's impeachments was added in 2021 but was removed due to blocking the view of objects inside its case and inconsistency with other sections in the exhibit. The Smithsonian did not specify when in the coming weeks the new exhibit will be ready.
The revelation that Trump was not listed among impeached presidents sparked concern that history was being whitewashed. However, the Smithsonian's statement did not address these concerns, only confirming that Trump would be included in an updated exhibit. No further details about the updated exhibit, such as its content or location, were provided.
It is important to note that the Smithsonian did not remove references to Trump's two impeachments at the request of any Administration or government official. The institution has always maintained its commitment to presenting accurate and complete historical accounts.
[1] Smithsonian to Update Exhibit on American Presidency to Include Trump's Impeachments, Smithsonian Institution Press Release, July 2025.
The Smithsonian Institution's update of the exhibit "The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden," will not only include President Donald Trump's two impeachments but will also reflect on all impeachment proceedings in U.S. history, demonstrating a commitment to policy-and-legislation and general-news accuracy. The politics surrounding the removal of a temporary placard in July 2025, sparking concerns of historical whitewashing, have been addressed by the Smithsonian's decision to ensure Trump's inclusion in the revised exhibit.
