A White House report released on July 4 accuses leadership at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History of promoting “extreme political activism” by advancing a politically charged agenda through museum exhibits and programming. The 162-page document, produced by the White House Domestic Policy Council under the Trump administration, is part of a broader review targeting the Smithsonian's approach to presenting American history.

The report asserts that the National Museum of American History, led since 2019 by its first female director, historian Anthea Hartig, has shifted its focus from traditional historical scholarship to social justice advocacy. It claims that the museum now frames American history primarily through lenses of racism, oppression, and inequality, moving away from a straightforward educational mission. The document highlights statements made by Hartig that describe history as a “prime tool of social justice” and emphasize connecting scholarship to activism, including efforts to “reframe the traditional celebratory narrative of U.S. history.”

Among the criticisms, the report notes a relative lack of major exhibits dedicated to the Founding Fathers and key events of the American Revolution, despite 2026 marking the country’s 250th anniversary. It further contends that programs addressing race, immigration, and gender identity tend to prioritize advocacy over traditional historical interpretation.

This report follows President Donald Trump’s executive order in March 2025 titled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History,” which condemned what the administration described as attempts to minimize American achievements and portray foundational national principles negatively. Subsequently, in August 2025, the Trump administration initiated a review of eight of the Smithsonian’s most-visited museums, including the National Museum of American History, identifying numerous exhibits and programs seen as ideologically driven or divisive.

A Smithsonian spokesperson responded to the report by reaffirming the institution’s commitment to nonpartisan and independent scholarship, emphasizing its role in serving the American public for over 180 years.

Critics of the Trump administration’s measures argue that these actions risk whitewashing difficult aspects of U.S. history, asserting that a full and truthful representation of the nation's past is essential for all Americans. The ongoing debate underscores tensions over how history should be presented within major cultural institutions amid wider discussions about identity, memory, and education.