Trump’s Bid To Reshape American History Meets Fierce Smithsonian Resistance

Smithsonian Institution Secretary Lonnie Bunch has powerfully rejected a White House study accusing its National Museum of American History (NMAH) of "thinly cloaked anti-Americanism" and "extreme governmental activism," calling nan characterization unfair.

"While location will ever beryllium room for improvement, this study is not a adjacent characterization of nan activity and totality of nan National Museum of American History," Bunch stated successful a Tuesday memo to staff. The institution confirmed nan memo to Reuters, which first reported it.

The 162-page White House report, released connected July 4 and titled "SAVING AMERICA'S STORY: How Ideological Capture astatine nan Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History Erases Our Heritage," had already been rejected by nan Organization of American Historians, nan nation's largest group of U.S. history scholars.

Donald Trump has consistently targeted U.S. taste and humanities institutions successful an effort to region what he position "anti-American" ideology. His executive orders person led to arguable actions for illustration dismantling slavery exhibits and restoring Confederate statues, which civilian authorities advocates reason undermine captious American history. Last year, Trump signed an executive bid specifically targeting nan Smithsonian for "anti-American ideology" removal.

The White House study asserted that nan "thinly cloaked anti-Americanism connected show astatine NMAH is simply a denotation of nan wide belief among Smithsonian activity that America is, and has been since Columbus first group ft successful nan New World, a fundamentally oppressive nation." It further alleged nan museum's "ideological capture" has moved it "toward an utmost governmental activism."

In response, nan Organization of American Historians stated: "In different illustration of executive branch overreach, nan White House is seeking to coerce Smithsonian activity to style its position of U.S. history truthful that it serves nan administration's governmental schedule - portion of an ongoing and multi-pronged battle by nan Trump management against meticulous and evidence-based history successful American nationalist life."

The White House launched an soul reappraisal of immoderate Smithsonian museums past year, pinch Trump indicating threats of backing cuts to institutions displeasing his administration. The 180-year-old Smithsonian, independent successful decision-making, receives astir of its fund from nan U.S. Congress. Bunch confirmed nan institution continues to "review nan study and its findings carefully."