President Donald Trump has directed the Interior Department to install signs outside the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, accusing the venerable institution of presenting inaccurate historical narratives. The order, issued on Friday, marks a significant escalation in the administration's criticism of the museum's approach to American history, which some allies of the President contend focuses too heavily on historical injustices rather than celebratory moments.
The directive instructs Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to collaborate with the National Park Service and Vince Haley, the assistant to the President for domestic policy, to create temporary signage. These signs are to be placed along the National Parks Service-maintained pathways leading into the museum. While the exact wording of the signs has not yet been released by the White House, the order specifies they should inform visitors that the museum's exhibits require renovation to align with findings from a recent White House report. Furthermore, the signs are expected to guide the public towards other sources deemed to offer more accurate information on American history.
Adding to the criticism, the same group is also tasked with producing signs that fault the Smithsonian for allegedly not adequately commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. This comes after a report titled 'Saving America's Story', prepared by the White House's domestic policy council, accused the museum's leadership of 'ideological capture'. The report claims the Smithsonian has adopted an 'ideological framework' that treats American history as a 'political instrument to divide, dispirit, and discourage our citizens', rather than a shared national inheritance.
In response to earlier criticisms, Anthea Hartig, the museum's director, defended the institution's interpretations during congressional hearings earlier this month. Hartig stated, 'We honor the declaration, the revolution, the constitution, our national symbols. And we tell the truth about the times that the country fell short of its own founding ideals. 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.'
Meanwhile, the American Historical Association (AHA), a professional body for historians, issued a statement earlier this month commending the Smithsonian Institution for its 'commitment to scholarship and accuracy'. The AHA emphasised that historians adhere to 'established standards of evidence, historical inquiry, and professional practice', warning that 'political interference in professional museum work threatens the accuracy of historical interpretation and erodes public trust in one of our nation's most important institutions.'