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Trump administration puts renewed pressure on Smithsonian to turn over materials for review

The Trump administration has given the Smithsonian Institution a deadline of January 13 to turn over materials related to a review of programming at eight of its museums, as outlined in a December 18 letter from White House officials Vince Haley and Russell Vought. The review stems from a March 2025 executive order titled "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History," which accused the Smithsonian of promoting a "divisive, race-centered ideology." Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch noted that some requested materials are not readily available and will require significant effort to compile, while the American Alliance of Museums and the Association of Art Museum Directors have expressed confidence in the Smithsonian's commitment to professional standards.

smithsonian content review white house threatens funding 1234767747

The Trump administration has threatened to withhold funding from the Smithsonian Institution, accusing it of failing to comply with a content review demanded by the White House. In an email obtained by the Washington Post, budget director Russell Vought and Domestic Policy Council director Vince Haley alleged that the Smithsonian had not turned over all requested documents and exhibition materials, citing a prior executive order in which President Trump claimed the institution promoted “corrosive ideology” by portraying the U.S. as inherently racist. Smithsonian secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III defended the network’s independence, stating it remains committed to sharing information but that a government shutdown had slowed efforts. The administration set a January 13 deadline for full compliance, specifically targeting programming for America’s 250th anniversary.

White House launches review of Smithsonian museums and exhibitions

The White House has launched a comprehensive internal review of the Smithsonian Institution, targeting eight of its museums including the National Museum of American History, National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the Hirshhorn Museum. A letter signed by senior White House officials Lindsey Halligan, Vince Haley, and Russ Vought demands extensive documentation, curatorial materials, and exhibition schedules within 30-, 75-, and 120-day deadlines, with the stated goal of aligning programming with President Donald Trump's directive to "celebrate American exceptionalism" and remove "divisive or partisan narratives." The review follows Trump's March executive order reshaping the Smithsonian, which had already led to the resignation of National Portrait Gallery director Kim Sajet and the cancellation of artist Amy Sherald's traveling exhibition after the museum allegedly sought to remove her painting of a non-binary transgender person.