President Donald Trump has issued an executive order requiring the Smithsonian National Museum of American History to install signs alerting visitors to content his administration deems factually incorrect. The directive instructs the Department of the Interior to oversee the placement of these warnings, which are also tasked with guiding patrons toward perspectives the White House considers representative of authentic American history.
This mandate follows a report from the White House Domestic Policy Council that criticized the institution for allegedly diminishing national heritage. The administration claims the museum leadership has shifted toward political activism, specifically citing concerns regarding social justice themes. This follows recent questioning of Smithsonian director Anthea Hartig by Republican lawmakers who alleged the institution has adopted a biased ideological framework.
The order, titled Restoring Trust in the Smithsonian Institution, expresses dissatisfaction with how the museum commemorated the 250th anniversary of the nation’s independence. While the Smithsonian receives significant federal funding, it has not yet provided an official statement regarding the order. This move is part of a broader effort by the president to alter cultural policies across federal agencies, specifically targeting initiatives related to diversity and equity.