Overview

• A July placard referencing President Trump’s two impeachment trials was removed from “The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden” exhibit for failing to meet appearance, location, timeline and presentation standards.
• Smithsonian spokespersons asserted that no administration or government official requested the removal of Trump-related content from the exhibit.
• The museum pledged to update its National Museum of American History display in the coming weeks to include every presidential impeachment proceeding in U.S. history.
• Public scrutiny over the decision prompted the Smithsonian’s swift denial of external pressure and a commitment to full historical accuracy.
• The episode highlights tensions between political directives and the Smithsonian’s mandate for nonpartisan curation and public trust.