White House Report Says Smithsonian Exhibits Downplay Founding Principles; Smithsonian Rejects Findings

The White House Domestic Policy Council released a 162-page report Saturday night accusing the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History of ideological capture by far-left activism. The report, titled “Saving America’s Story: How Ideological Capture at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History Erases Our Heritage,” states that the museum presents America as a country irredeemably conceived, founded by deeply flawed men and still operating today as an instrument of systemic racism and oppression.

It says the museum’s mission has been transformed from straightforward historical education toward extreme political activism that seeks to transform the country.

The report concludes that the Smithsonian’s leaders cannot be trusted to tell America’s story honestly and in a way that is inspiring, unifying and worthy of the republic. A Smithsonian spokesperson said the institution has served the American public with nonpartisan and independent scholarship for more than 180 years and remains committed to doing so.

The Organization of American Historians accused the White House of trying to coerce the Smithsonian into presenting history that ignores immigrants, the LGBTQ community, workers, people of color and people with disabilities.

The group called the report a broad attempt to return the nation to a vision of America that never actually existed. Mike Gonzalez, senior fellow at The Heritage Foundation, said the report was long overdue. The report was released moments before fireworks lit up the National Mall.