Executive Order Targets Smithsonian Exhibits
President Donald Trump has issued an executive order directing the U.S. Department of the Interior to install temporary signage outside the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. The order, signed July 24, mandates that the signs warn visitors that the museum’s current historical exhibits are “inaccurate” and directs them toward alternative resources that the administration claims provide a more accurate account of American history.
The directive follows the release of a 162-page report by the White House Domestic Policy Council on July 4. The report alleges that the museum has become an “instrument” for a “radical, activist cohort” intended to reframe the American narrative to serve specific ideological goals. The administration further contends that the museum has failed to appropriately honor the signers of the Declaration of Independence, particularly in the lead-up to the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Escalating Conflict Over Historical Narrative
This executive action represents a significant escalation in the ongoing friction between the White House and the Smithsonian Institution. The move aligns with recent critiques voiced by Republican lawmakers during congressional hearings. On July 21, Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tennessee, chair of the House Oversight Committee, publicly criticized the museum’s leadership, specifically targeting Director Dr. Anthea Hartig. Burchett accused the museum of being “infected by a woke ideology,” citing the White House report as evidence of a broader institutional bias.
Dr. Hartig, who has served as the museum’s director since 2019, has pushed back against these characterizations. In her testimony, she argued that the White House report does not “fairly or accurately” reflect the museum’s mission. She stated that the institution’s efforts to include a broader range of voices—including those related to the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution—are intended to allow a more diverse array of Americans to see themselves reflected in the national story.
“We tell the truth about the times that the country fell short of its own founding ideals,” Hartig told lawmakers. “Telling our story fully is a form of respect for the American people, and a commitment to constantly being in pursuit of a more perfect union.”
Implementation and Next Steps
The executive order instructs federal officials to place the signage along National Park Service-maintained walkways and sidewalks adjacent to the museum. As of July 25, it remains unclear whether these signs have been installed or how the Smithsonian will formally respond to the federal presence on its perimeter. Neither the Department of the Interior nor the Smithsonian Institution immediately responded to requests for comment regarding the logistics or the potential legal implications of the order.