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Restoring American Values in Museums
President Donald Trump has issued an executive order aimed at purging what he calls a 'divisive, race-centered ideology' from the Smithsonian Institution, the world’s largest museum and research complex. Signed on March 27, the order, titled 'Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History,' tasks Vice President JD Vance with overseeing the removal of exhibits and programs that the administration deems anti-American. Trump stated, 'Museums in our nation’s capital should inspire, not divide,' emphasizing a return to narratives that celebrate America’s achievements. The directive targets the Smithsonian’s 21 museums, including the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which has been criticized for promoting what the order calls a distorted view of U.S. history.
Focus on the Smithsonian’s Narrative
The executive order specifically calls out the National Museum of African American History and Culture for past exhibits that labeled concepts like 'hard work' and 'individualism' as aspects of 'White culture,' a display that was removed in 2020 after public backlash. The administration argues that such narratives undermine America’s shared values, with the order stating, 'The Smithsonian has been influenced by a revisionist movement that casts our founding principles in a negative light.' The directive also prohibits the forthcoming American Women’s History Museum from recognizing transgender women, aligning with Trump’s broader cultural policies. This move aims to ensure that federal institutions reflect a unified, uplifting vision of the nation’s past.
Vance’s Role in Overseeing Changes
Vice President JD Vance, a member of the Smithsonian’s Board of Regents, has been appointed to lead the implementation of the order, working alongside Trump’s executive staff to withhold funding for exhibits deemed divisive. The order empowers Vance to collaborate with Congress and the Office of Management and Budget to redirect resources toward programs that 'celebrate American greatness.' This includes restoring federal parks and monuments altered in recent years to reflect what the administration calls a 'false revision of history.' Vance’s involvement signals a hands-on approach to reshaping the Smithsonian’s cultural narrative, ensuring it aligns with the administration’s priorities.
Broader Cultural Policy Shifts
The Smithsonian order is part of a larger effort by the Trump administration to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives across federal agencies. Similar actions have targeted the National Endowment for the Arts and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, where programming has been overhauled to remove what the administration views as ideological bias. The order also affects the Smithsonian’s 14 education and research centers and the National Zoo, prohibiting them from hosting exhibits that 'degrade shared American values.' This reflects a consistent push to prioritize a patriotic narrative over what Trump calls 'corrosive anti-American ideology.'
Public and Historical Reactions
Supporters contend that the Smithsonian should focus on unifying themes rather than divisive ones, especially in a time of national polarization. The administration’s move to appoint citizen members to the Smithsonian Board of Regents who share this vision further ensures that the institution will reflect these values. The order’s emphasis on 'solemn and uplifting public monuments' aims to inspire future generations with a sense of pride in America’s heritage and progress.
A Vision for National Unity
Trump’s executive order marks a decisive effort to reclaim the Smithsonian as a symbol of American excellence, free from what the administration sees as ideological distortion. By targeting race-centered narratives and empowering Vance to lead the charge, the directive seeks to restore a sense of unity and pride in the nation’s history. While the changes may face legal and cultural pushback, they reflect a broader mission to ensure that federal institutions honor America’s legacy as a beacon of liberty and achievement.