A White House report released on July 4 by the Domestic Policy Council criticized the leadership of the Smithsonian Institution, particularly at the National Museum of American History, labeling them as radical activists whose approach to history cannot be trusted. The report suggests that current museum leadership has shifted away from traditional historical education toward political activism, a development that the administration claims undermines an accurate and unifying portrayal of American history.
President Donald Trump, who issued an executive order in March aimed at reshaping the Smithsonian’s approach by cutting funding to programs promoting what his administration describes as “divisive narratives” and “improper ideology,” appears to be preparing to replace existing leadership at the institution. The council’s report, authored under the guidance of a former top Trump speechwriter, asserts that the museum’s current mission is ideologically captured and no longer aligned with what they call a “noble, honest story” of the United States.
The Smithsonian Institution did not provide a response following the report’s release. Lonnie Bunch, the Smithsonian’s current secretary and the first African American to hold the position, spoke on NBC’s “Meet the Press” about his vision for the museum. He emphasized the importance of presenting history as a “more perfect union” that continues to evolve, saying that America’s strength lies in understanding its history in a way that includes all perspectives rather than avoiding difficult aspects.
Anthea M. Hartig, the first woman to direct the National Museum of American History, also currently holds a key leadership role amid the controversy.
The report forms part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to influence cultural and educational institutions nationwide, which the president argues have strayed too far from conservative values. This campaign has included efforts to reshape programming at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, which Trump briefly chaired, and policy demands directed at institutions like Columbia University under threat of losing federal funding.
Additionally, the administration recently secured a court ruling in Philadelphia that allowed it to reinstall interpretive panels at the site of George Washington’s home. Critics contend that these revised panels minimize slavery’s historical impact in favor of a more triumphant narrative, an approach opposed by many historians and local officials.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, a Democrat and 2024 presidential candidate, condemned the administration’s moves as attempts to “rewrite history.” In an interview on CNN, Shapiro argued that no single political figure should control the narrative, insisting instead on a full and honest representation of history so that Americans can draw their own conclusions and better understand their country’s past.
The White House Domestic Policy Council rejected these criticisms, stating that the National Museum of American History currently presents materials that erode public trust in American institutions and shared ideals. The council emphasized its commitment to restoring “truth and sanity” in historical education, framing the efforts to change Smithsonian leadership as necessary to realign the institution’s mission with what it describes as patriotic and unifying principles.