Politics
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President's Order Targets Smithsonian's "Revisionist History" Exhibits
President Orders Smithsonian to Curb "Revisionist History" Exhibits
President [President's Name] issued an executive order aiming to reshape the narrative presented at federally funded historical sites, specifically targeting what the order terms "revisionist history" at the Smithsonian Institution. The order cites a perceived effort to "rewrite our Nation’s history," replacing objective facts with an ideological narrative that undermines the country's achievements and fosters societal division.
The order points to specific examples at the Smithsonian. The Smithsonian American Art Museum's "The Shape of Power: Stories of Race and American Sculpture" exhibit is criticized for portraying American and Western values as harmful and oppressive, claiming sculpture has been used to promote scientific racism, and asserting that race is a social construct. The National Museum of African American History and Culture is cited for defining "hard work," "individualism," and "the nuclear family" as aspects of "White culture." Further, the upcoming Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum's plans to feature male athletes participating in women's sports are also criticized.
The executive order directs the Vice President, in consultation with other White House officials, to work with the Smithsonian Board of Regents to remove what the order deems "improper ideology" from the institution's museums, research centers, and the National Zoo. The order also seeks to influence future Smithsonian appropriations, prohibiting funding for exhibits or programs that "degrade shared American values, divide Americans based on race, or promote programs or ideologies inconsistent with Federal law and policy." Specifically, funding for the American Women’s History Museum is to celebrate the achievements of women and not recognize men as women.
The order also addresses Independence National Historical Park, directing the Secretary of the Interior to improve its infrastructure by July 4, 2026, and to review and reinstate any monuments, memorials, or statues removed or altered since January 1, 2020, that are deemed to present a "false reconstruction of American history." The order aims to ensure that all public monuments within the Department of the Interior's jurisdiction "do not contain descriptions, depictions, or other content that inappropriately disparage Americans" and instead focus on "the greatness of the achievements and progress of the American people." The order's stated goal is to restore federal historical sites to "solemn and uplifting public monuments" that promote a positive view of American history and instill national pride.
President [President's Name] issued an executive order aiming to reshape the narrative presented at federally funded historical sites, specifically targeting what the order terms "revisionist history" at the Smithsonian Institution. The order cites a perceived effort to "rewrite our Nation’s history," replacing objective facts with an ideological narrative that undermines the country's achievements and fosters societal division.
The order points to specific examples at the Smithsonian. The Smithsonian American Art Museum's "The Shape of Power: Stories of Race and American Sculpture" exhibit is criticized for portraying American and Western values as harmful and oppressive, claiming sculpture has been used to promote scientific racism, and asserting that race is a social construct. The National Museum of African American History and Culture is cited for defining "hard work," "individualism," and "the nuclear family" as aspects of "White culture." Further, the upcoming Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum's plans to feature male athletes participating in women's sports are also criticized.
The executive order directs the Vice President, in consultation with other White House officials, to work with the Smithsonian Board of Regents to remove what the order deems "improper ideology" from the institution's museums, research centers, and the National Zoo. The order also seeks to influence future Smithsonian appropriations, prohibiting funding for exhibits or programs that "degrade shared American values, divide Americans based on race, or promote programs or ideologies inconsistent with Federal law and policy." Specifically, funding for the American Women’s History Museum is to celebrate the achievements of women and not recognize men as women.
The order also addresses Independence National Historical Park, directing the Secretary of the Interior to improve its infrastructure by July 4, 2026, and to review and reinstate any monuments, memorials, or statues removed or altered since January 1, 2020, that are deemed to present a "false reconstruction of American history." The order aims to ensure that all public monuments within the Department of the Interior's jurisdiction "do not contain descriptions, depictions, or other content that inappropriately disparage Americans" and instead focus on "the greatness of the achievements and progress of the American people." The order's stated goal is to restore federal historical sites to "solemn and uplifting public monuments" that promote a positive view of American history and instill national pride.
