Trump's Executive Order Targets Smithsonian, Aims to Eliminate 'Divisive Ideologies'

Trump's directive seeks to remove elements deemed 'anti-American' and restore historical representations at federal properties.

In a significant move aimed at influencing American culture, President Donald Trump has signed an executive order targeting the Smithsonian Institution, which encompasses over 20 museums and research centers in Washington D.C. and New York City. The directive instructs the vice-president to "eliminate improper, divisive, or anti-American ideology" present in the museums, including the National Zoo located in Washington. Additionally, it mandates the secretary of the interior to restore federal properties—parks, memorials, and statues—that have been modified or removed in recent years to counter what Trump calls a "false revision of history."

Titled "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History," the order positions Vice-President JD Vance—who, by virtue of his office, holds a seat on the Smithsonian Board of Regents—to spearhead this ideological cleanse. The executive order argues against congressional funding for Smithsonian exhibits that supposedly "divide Americans by race." Notably, it criticizes the American Women's History Museum in development for intending to "recognize men as women" and takes issue with the National Museum of African American History and Culture for asserting that "hard work," "individualism," and "the nuclear family" stem from "White culture."

With free entry attracting an estimated 15 to 30 million visitors annually, the Smithsonian operates 21 facilities, including notable sites like the National Museum of American History and the National Portrait Gallery. Moreover, the order tasks Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum with enacting "restorations and improvements" to Independence Hall, an act that aligns with the forthcoming 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence signing.

This latest executive action reflects Trump's broader initiative to radically alter American cultural narratives, which he claims are tainted by "woke" leftist ideologies. In the past, he has also attempted to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion programs within the federal government, resulting in various legal challenges. His tenure has been marked by controversial decisions, such as firing the board of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and appointing himself as chairman, stirring backlash from the arts community.