Overview

• The Aug. 12 letter, signed by Lindsey Halligan, Vince Haley and Russ Vought, instructs the Smithsonian to audit exhibition texts, websites, curatorial processes, collections use and grant records.
• The initial phase focuses on eight flagship museums, including the National Museum of American History, National Museum of African American History and Culture, National Museum of the American Indian, National Museum of Natural History, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian American Art Museum, National Portrait Gallery and the Hirshhorn Museum.
• The review sets phased milestones at 30, 75 and 120 days with a final report due in early 2026 ahead of the U.S. 250th anniversary.
• Smithsonian leadership has pledged to collaborate on the review while defending its commitment to scholarly excellence and institutional independence.
• Civil rights advocates, historians and museum professionals warn the process represents political interference that could alter how marginalized histories are portrayed.