A report from the White House Domestic Policy Council has criticized the leadership of the Smithsonian Institution, particularly at the National Museum of American History, describing them as lacking trustworthiness. The report, released on July 4, 2026, suggests that President Donald Trump may seek to replace current leadership as part of a broader effort to reshape cultural institutions in Washington.
The report claims that the current leadership has shifted the museum's mission from historical education to what it terms 'extreme political activism.' It states, 'The Smithsonian Institution, and the National Museum of American History in particular, under its current leadership and current interpretive ideology, cannot be trusted to tell America’s story honestly.'
Historian Lonnie Bunch, the first African American secretary of the Smithsonian, responded in an interview that the goal should be to make America's history accessible and meaningful to all. He emphasized the importance of understanding history to shape the future.
The report aligns with Trump's ongoing efforts to alter cultural narratives, which have included changes to historical sites and educational institutions. Critics, including Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, have expressed concerns that these actions may lead to a revisionist view of history that downplays significant issues such as slavery.
The report concludes that the museum has been influenced by a radical ideology that contradicts the goal of presenting an honest account of American history.