URGENT UPDATE: The Smithsonian Institution has just confirmed that political pressure did not influence the removal of a display related to the impeachment of former President Donald Trump. The National Museum of American History in Washington, DC, stated on Saturday that a placard referencing Trump’s impeachments was taken down for failing to meet museum standards.
Officials reported that the placard was removed because it was “not consistent with other sections in the exhibit and moreover blocked the view of the objects inside its case.” The Smithsonian emphasized, “We were not asked by any Administration or other government officials to remove content from the exhibit.” This statement comes after backlash from the public and media following the removal of the reference to Trump’s impeachments, which occurred last month.
The museum’s exhibit previously stated that “only three presidents have seriously faced removal,” misleadingly omitting Trump, who was impeached twice by the House of Representatives in 2019 and 2021 but was acquitted by the Senate on both occasions. The Smithsonian has now committed to updating the impeachment section to include all proceedings in U.S. history within the coming weeks.
This situation escalated after a report from The Washington Post indicated that the display’s removal was linked to a “content review” agreed upon by the Smithsonian amid alleged pressure from the White House. Critics, including Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, condemned the Smithsonian’s action as a capitulation to authoritarian tendencies. Schumer stated, “You can run, but you cannot hide from the judgment of history,” highlighting the ongoing impact of Trump’s presidency on political and cultural institutions.
The Smithsonian operates 21 museums and the National Zoo, making its decisions significant in the cultural landscape of the United States. The institution’s commitment to historical accuracy is now under scrutiny as it navigates the influence of political pressures in its exhibitions.
The broader implications of this incident reflect ongoing tensions between political narratives and historical representation. Former President Trump has been vocal about exerting control over political and cultural institutions, having signed an executive order in March 2023 aimed at removing “improper ideology” from the Smithsonian and cutting funding for displays that “degrade shared American values.”
As the Smithsonian prepares to update its exhibits, the public will be watching closely. This latest development raises questions about how history is presented and the role of political influence in shaping cultural narratives.
Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving situation and its impact on how American history is curated and understood.