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5mo ago

Trump's Executive Order Targets Smithsonian's Historical Narratives

The directive mandates a patriotic reinterpretation of exhibits, restricts funding for 'divisive' programs, and calls for the restoration of removed monuments, including Confederate statues.

Construction fencing surrounds the Smithsonian Institution Building on the National Mall on March 28, in Washington, DC.
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Overview

  • President Trump’s executive order, issued on March 27, 2025, directs the Smithsonian Institution to align exhibits with a patriotic view of American history, criticizing race-centered narratives.
  • Vice President JD Vance is tasked with overseeing the removal of 'improper ideology' from Smithsonian exhibits and ensuring funding restrictions for programs deemed 'anti-American.'
  • The order requires the restoration of public monuments, including Confederate statues removed since 2020, as part of its effort to reshape historical memory.
  • Critics, including historians and civil rights leaders, warn the order could erase marginalized voices and undermine the integrity of historical scholarship.
  • The Smithsonian Institution, which relies on federal funding for two-thirds of its budget, has not yet officially responded, while public backlash and debates over historical revisionism intensify.