Overview

• Trump posted that the Smithsonian is 'out of control' and too focused on 'how bad Slavery was,' saying he instructed his attorneys to apply the same process used on colleges and universities.
• A White House official told NBC News the administration intends to hold the Smithsonian accountable first and then extend the museum review beyond the institution.
• An Aug. 12 White House letter directed eight Smithsonian museums to turn over exhibit information within 30 days and to start 'content corrections' within 120 days, replacing 'divisive' language with 'unifying' descriptions.
• The push follows a March 27 executive order assigning Vice President J.D. Vance oversight to remove 'improper ideology' from Smithsonian programs, with attorney Lindsey Halligan assisting the effort.
• The Smithsonian said it is reviewing the directives and reaffirmed its commitment to rigorous, factual history, as historians and civil-rights leaders denounced the campaign as politicizing or whitewashing the past.