Overview
- Senior officials Vince Haley, Russell Vought, and Lindsey Halligan sent a letter to Secretary Lonnie Bunch setting a January 13, 2026 deadline for extensive internal records.
- The letter warns the administration could use OMB apportionment authority to delay or withhold congressionally authorized funds if the Smithsonian does not comply.
- Requested materials include exhibition plans for the 250th anniversary, current exhibit content, budgets, internal guidelines, partnership lists, and detailed schedules and budgets for 2026 to 2029.
- The White House seeks assurances that museum leaders will present a positive view of U.S. history, stating no leader should be "confused" about America being a force for good.
- The demand escalates a dispute sparked by a Trump executive order targeting certain exhibits, as Democratic senators urge the Board‑governed federal trust to resist pressure and the institution’s roughly two‑thirds federal funding heightens the stakes.