Trump Administration Seizes Editorial Power Over Smithsonian Museum Exhibits

Source: Huff Post

Aug 12, 2025, 05:32 PM EDT


Top officials in President Donald Trump’s administration are carrying out a massive review of the Smithsonian Institution’s museum exhibits, curatorial materials and other operations in advance of the country’s 250th anniversary next year.

The review is meant to better align the vast institution — which encompasses 21 museums, 21 libraries and a zoo — with Trump’s views, specifically those he outlined in a March executive order titled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History.” That order explicitly calls for the Smithsonian Institution to be analyzed.

A Tuesday letter addressed to Smithsonian Institution Secretary Lonnie Bunch outlined the administration’s expectations. “This initiative aims to ensure alignment with the President’s directive to celebrate American exceptionalism, remove divisive or partisan narratives, and restore confidence in our shared cultural institutions,” it said.

The letter bears the signatures of Lindsey Halligan, Vince Haley and Russ Vought, who serve as senior staff secretary, director of the Domestic Policy Council and director of the Office of Management and Budget, respectively. The officials say their goal “is not to interfere with the day-to-day operations of curators or staff.” However, they demand a huge array of materials be provided for their review.

Read more: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-administration-seizes-editorial-power-over-smithsonian-museum-exhibits_n_689b9e8ce4b09184403f25d5