Trump Administration Plans Signs for Smithsonian Museum Addressing Ideological Bias

<p>Donald Trump has reiterated his commitment to publicly address perceived ideological bias at the Smithsonian. The Trump administration is preparing to install temporary signs outside the National Museum of American History, as detailed in a letter from Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to Senator Jeff Merkley, dated September 3. The National Park Service plans to spend approximately $84,000 on about a dozen signs following an executive order signed by Trump in July.</p><p>A source familiar with the plans indicated that while the Park Service has a concept for the signs, the specific wording and authorship remain unclear. Burgum's letter previews the signs, which aim to inform visitors about the museum's exhibits and the viewpoints of its curators. The letter cites the museum's director, Anthea Hartig, and criticizes outgoing Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch, suggesting they hold ideological positions. It also references exhibitions related to groups targeted by the administration, such as undocumented immigrants and transgender individuals.</p><p>According to the letter, the signs will provide context about the exhibits and the perspectives of their curators, echoing a 162-page report from the White House that claims the museum promotes ideologies that detract from an accurate representation of American history. Burgum stated, "This may be the first instance in which executive branch intervention of this nature has become necessary."</p><p>The Smithsonian, which receives partial federal funding, has historically operated independently and is recognized for its measured approach. The museum has faced scrutiny from the Trump administration since March 2025, with Trump recently making curatorial demands via social media, including calls for the removal of an abstract sculpture and the installation of a 30-foot statue of George Washington. Museum leadership has countered that it displays a significant amount of patriotic material, including 368 objects and 340 labels from the founding era.</p><p>Hartig emphasized the museum's commitment to scholarship, accuracy, independence, and nonpartisanship, stating, "The museum does not take sides in America’s political debates. We preserve and document the evidence of American life in all its breadth, so that the public can encounter the past and draw their own conclusions."</p><p>Trump's executive order also directed the Park Service to guide visitors to White House-approved historical resources and to include a temporary exhibit on the signers of the Declaration of Independence. This initiative marks a notable conflict between the executive branch and the Smithsonian.</p><p>Prior to this administration, a confrontation between park rangers and museum curators on the National Mall would have been unexpected. The White House has sought to exert control over the Smithsonian, which operates with a degree of insulation from executive influence. The planned signs aim to frame the museum's work for visitors before they enter.</p><p>Burgum's letter suggests the signs will directly criticize Smithsonian leadership and their materials, referencing Hartig's comments on U.S. history, the museum's approach to patriotism, and acknowledgments of Native American lands. The letter argues that visitors should be informed about Hartig's and Bunch's histories regarding racial issues, citing Hartig's acknowledgment of white privilege during a 2020 lecture and Bunch's past writings on racial discrimination in the museum field.</p><p>The letter also mentions specific exhibits highlighted in Trump's report, including those addressing transgender themes, and resources discussing terminology regarding immigration. Following the announcement of the signs, inquiries were made to various history experts associated with the Trump administration, including PragerU and Hillsdale College, both of which denied involvement in the Smithsonian signage project.</p><p>Mike Gonzalez, a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation who testified about the Smithsonian during congressional hearings, declined to comment on his involvement but expressed that he finds the signs to be a clever approach. He remarked that they could serve as a medium- to short-term solution.</p><p>Despite external pressures, the Smithsonian continues to convey the American narrative. Recently, staff at the National Museum of American History engaged directly with visitors, facilitating discussions about 9/11 artifacts without descriptive wall text or barriers, fostering a direct conversation between historians and the public.</p>