Trump ordena instalar letreros fuera del Smithsonian por información inexacta

Trump orders warning signs at Smithsonian regarding inaccurate information

According to the directive, the signage must inform the public that the museum’s exhibits should be renewed to align with the findings of a White House report. The signs are also tasked with directing visitors to resources that provide what the government deems to be accurate historical information, though the order does not specify which resources should be used.

Basis of the White House intervention

The executive order relies on a 162-page report titled Saving America’s Story, which was released by the White House Domestic Policy Council on July 4. The report accuses the Smithsonian of undergoing an institutional capture by an activist ideology. It claims the museum’s leadership presents American history not as a shared national legacy to be celebrated, but as a tool for promoting radical social justice agendas and political activism.

The administration’s report further criticizes the museum for failing to highlight the constructive role of the Christian faith in American history and alleges that the institution promotes a radical leftist ideology aimed at transforming the country. This action follows a previous executive order issued in March 2025, in which the White House sought to combat what it termed historical revisions that frame the nation’s history in a negative light.

Congressional scrutiny of museum leadership

The move to install signage follows a tense appearance by Anthea Hartig, the director of the National Museum of American History, before a House of Representatives subcommittee. During the hearing, Hartig faced rigorous questioning from Republican lawmakers regarding the museum’s content.

Representative Nancy Mace questioned Hartig on the museum’s inclusion of drag queens in exhibits presented to children, as well as the institution’s educational materials regarding gender. When asked to define a woman and clarify how many genders the museum recognizes, Hartig stated that the institution seeks to represent and not categorize all Americans and noted that she would be willing to review materials to provide written responses.

Representative Tim Burchett also criticized the institution, asserting that the museum had been infected by a woke ideology that emphasizes American oppression.

Institutional response and autonomy

In response to the White House report and legislative criticism, Hartig has maintained that the Smithsonian does not take sides in American political debates. She described the museum’s approach to history as an “evolution” intended to include previously omitted voices rather than erasing the traditional narrative.

While we continue to verify the facts of the report, we emphatically state that it does not fairly or accurately characterize the full body of the museum's work, Hartig said, noting the beauty and expertise present in the museum’s collections.

Despite the administration’s pressure, the Smithsonian has asserted that it will maintain its autonomy. While the NPS, which manages the sidewalks surrounding the museum, is part of the Department of the Interior, the Smithsonian operates as an independent agency. However, the federal government controls a significant portion of the museum system’s funding, and Vice President J. D. Vance serves on the Smithsonian’s board of directors. The Smithsonian declined to comment on the specific executive order issued this Friday.