Overview

• In July, the National Museum of American History removed references to President Trump’s two impeachments and returned its American Presidency exhibit to its 2008 format.
• A Smithsonian spokesperson explained that a routine review of legacy content revealed the entire ‘Limits of Presidential Power’ section had not been updated since 2008.
• The rollback followed a content review triggered by White House pressure to remove a National Portrait Gallery director and President Trump’s March executive order targeting “anti-American ideology” in Smithsonian museums.
• In June, the Board of Regents reaffirmed that only the institution’s secretary can dismiss museum directors and launched a broad assessment of exhibits for partisan bias.
• Observers say the episode highlights intensifying battles over historical narrative control and the Smithsonian’s autonomy under the Trump administration’s cultural agenda.