President Trump ordered federal officials to install signs outside the National Museum of American History that correct what he says is "inaccurate" information presented by the institution about American history. President Trump on Friday issued an executive order directing disclaimers be installed outside the Smithsonian's Museum of American history to warn passerby that some of the museum's exhibits do not reflect his perspective on the nation's past. In an executive order entitled “Restoring trust in the Smithsonian Institution,” the president cited a recently-released report produced...
President Trump issued an executive order to have signs installed around the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. President directs interior department to display signs outside museum that accuse institution of inaccuracyDonald Trump on Friday ordered the interior department to display signs in front of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History that accuse the institution of inaccuracy.The order escalates the Trump’s attacks against the Smithsonian, which he and his allies accuse of politicizing the institution by focusing too much on injustices in American history, instead of more triumphant moments such as the signing of the Declaration of Independence. President Donald Trump ordered his administration Friday to install signs in front of the Smithsonian Institution ‘s U.S.
history museum telling visitors that some of the exhibits are inaccurate, his latest move to reshape how the story of the United States is told. Trump’s move follows a report released July 4 by his Domestic Policy Council saying leaders of the Smithsonian and its National Museum of American History don’t tell history “in a way that is inspiring, unifying, and worthy of our great republic.” The president lacks authority to quickly fire the Smithsonian leadership or to order changes to exhibits, so his executive order targets the sidewalks out front, which are maintained by the National Park Service. His executive order calls for signs telling visitors about the White House report and directing them to resources for what he calls “accurate information regarding America’s history.” It also calls for a temporary exhibit that corrects information he deems inaccurate.
Smithsonian officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Hartig, director of the American history museum, pushed back on the White House report during congressional hearings this week. “As we continue to fact check the report, we unwaveringly attest that it does not fairly or accurately characterize the full body of work at the museum,” she told lawmakers.
“There is always room for improvement. But I also know the beauty and the inspiration and the expertise that lies in our collections, our exhibits, and our programming.” The Smithsonian operates outside the executive branch and museum directors report to Secretary Lonnie Bunch, who is subject to oversight from a Board of Regents. Trump’s escalating effort to force changes at the Smithsonian marks the Republican president’s latest move to transform cultural pillars of society, such as universities and art, that he considers out of step with conservative sensibilities.
Trump had himself installed as chairman of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts with the aim of overhauling programming, and his handpicked board voted to add his name to the building, only to have a federal judge later order the signs to be removed. Trump has also imposed changes on historical sites beyond Washington, including in Philadelphia, where the administration won a court ruling last week allowing it to reinstall…
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