Smithsonian Institution Secretary Lonnie Bunch has disputed a July 4 report from the White House Domestic Policy Council that accused the National Museum of American History of promoting “radical” and “anti-White” ideologies. In an internal letter to staff obtained by ABC News, Bunch rejected the report’s characterization of the museum, asserting that the institution’s work remains grounded in rigorous, independent scholarship rather than political activism.
The White House Report and Executive Mandate
The 162-page report issued by the White House Domestic Policy Council alleges that the Smithsonian, specifically its National Museum of American History, has adopted an ideological framework that treats American history as a “political instrument” rather than a “shared national inheritance.” The document claims the museum engages in “extreme political activism,” including what it describes as “anti-White,” “illegal alien,” and “transgender” activism.
This report follows President Donald Trump’s March 27, 2025, executive order, titled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History.” The order directed Vice President J.D. Vance to oversee a review of the Smithsonian to “remove improper ideology,” arguing that materials presenting the United States in a “negative light” are incompatible with federal cultural institutions. The report suggests that the museum’s flagship history center should feature a warning label for visitors, claiming the exhibits are curated by individuals who “don’t want you to love your country.”
Smithsonian Response and Defense of Scholarship
In his internal correspondence, Secretary Lonnie Bunch defended the Smithsonian’s mission, emphasizing that the institution is guided by “scholarship, accuracy, and an uncompromising commitment to tell the fullness of America’s story.” Bunch stated that while the Smithsonian is always open to improvement, the White House report does not fairly represent the totality of the museum’s work.
A spokesperson for the Smithsonian, which manages 21 museums and the National Zoo, reiterated the institution’s commitment to nonpartisan inquiry in a statement provided to ABC News. “For more than 180 years, the Smithsonian has served the American public with nonpartisan and independent scholarship, and we remain committed to doing so,” the spokesperson said.
Professional Historical Community Reaction
The American Historical Association (AHA), which represents 10,000 historians, has publicly challenged the executive branch’s intervention in museum operations. Sarah Weicksel, executive director of the AHA, characterized the administration’s efforts as an attempt to enforce a “narrowly sanitized version of the American past.”
According to Weicksel, the AHA maintains that the expertise of curators and historians is essential to the integrity of historical exhibits. In an interview with ABC News Live, she stated that the ongoing pressure from the executive branch devalues professional historical standards, noting, “It is really upsetting to see the executive branch intervening in our work.”
Status of Internal and Federal Reviews
The Smithsonian is currently conducting its own internal review of its exhibits and processes. While a spokesperson confirmed this review is ongoing, they declined to provide further details regarding its status or findings. The White House, meanwhile, has not publicly commented on the specific rebuttals offered by Smithsonian leadership. The conflict remains part of a broader, ongoing federal review of how American history is presented within government-funded cultural institutions.