Smithsonian history museum chief rejects White House criticism of its leaders as radical activists
Lonnie Bunch said the report misrepresents the museum and defended staff commitment to scholarship, nonpartisanship, independence, accuracy and integrity.
- On Tuesday, Anthea Hartig, director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, testified before Congress defending the institution against White House accusations of "extreme political activism" and ideological bias.
- The White House's July 4 report, "Saving America's Story," alleges the museum promotes "anti-white activism" and "illegal alien activism," purposely presenting America as defined by systemic injustice.
- Committee members grilled Hartig over the "MASS Action Toolkit" and "Girlhood " exhibition during the hearing. Hartig countered that the museum remains governed by "standards of scholarship, accuracy, independence and nonpartisanship."
- Representative Melanie Stansbury introduced the Smithsonian Integrity and Historical Independence Act, arguing that targeting individual leaders by name is a "political witch hunt" threatening institutional independence.
- The hearing reflects broader political messaging wars as the administration seeks to reshape cultural institutions. Scholars emphasize the museum documents the "full and rich story of America" through historical evidence and competing perspectives.
125 Articles
125 Articles
The Smithsonian has withstood Trump’s attacks so far. But the political pressure is mounting. - The Boston Globe
The Smithsonian has so far mostly resisted the White House’s more extreme wishes, but Trump-backed efforts implement ideological change at the museum are mounting.
GOP Grills Smithsonian Director Over Exhibits On Black History, Gender And Other Things Republicans Are Afraid Of
Source: Bill Clark / Getty It should be comforting (for white supremacists) to know that with all that is going on in the U.S. and the world, GOP lawmakers are still working hard to address an issue that wasn’t an issue until President Donald Trump and his MAGA machine took over conservative politics and the Republican Party: wokeness at the Smithsonian. On Tuesday, House Republicans grilled National Museum of American History Director Anthea Ha…
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Professor Testifies Against Taxpayer-Funded Smithsonian’s Alleged Anti-America Agenda
A Hillsdale College professor testified before a House subcommittee about the alleged anti-American agenda of the National Museum of American History. The post Professor Testifies Against Taxpayer-Funded Smithsonian’s Alleged Anti-America Agenda first appeared on [your]NEWS.
Rep. Brandon Gill Grills Smithsonian Director on Museum Guidance Tying Politeness to White Supremacy
Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX) grilled the director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History on Tuesday over guidance tying being polite to white supremacy.
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