Smithsonian Secretary Stands Firm Against White House's Reactionary Attack on Inclusive History
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Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch rejected a White House report that accused the National Museum of American History of being ideologically driven, reaffirming the institution’s dedication to honest, inclusive, and scholarly storytelling that challenges dominant narratives.
Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III sent a memo to staff on Tuesday defending the National Museum of American History after the White House released a 162-page report that accused the museum of being captured by a so-called 'radical activist ideology.' Bunch rightly pointed out that the report 'is not a fair characterization of the work and totality of the National Museum of American History,' and emphasized that the Smithsonian’s work is guided by scholarship, accuracy, and a commitment to presenting the full, often uncomfortable, story of the United States—including the voices and struggles of marginalized communities long erased from mainstream narratives.
He added that the institution remains focused on 'scholarship, nonpartisanship, independence, accuracy and integrity,' highlighting its 180-year history of collaborating with government partners while pursuing knowledge with rigor for the public. This commitment stands in stark contrast to the White House’s attempt to silence critical perspectives and maintain a sanitized, exclusionary version of American history.
The Domestic Policy Council issued the report on July 4 under the title 'Saving America’s Story: How Ideological Capture at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History Erases Our Heritage.' The document criticized the museum for allegedly underemphasizing the Founding Fathers, insufficiently celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary, and for engaging in what it described as anti-white, illegal-alien and transgender activism. These accusations reflect a reactionary backlash against efforts to recognize the realities of systemic racism, immigrant experiences, and LGBTQ+ history in America. The report also accused the museum of attempting to indoctrinate teachers and students through its exhibitions and programs, and singled out museum director Anthea Hartig for 'advancing an ideological agenda contradictory to the museum’s founding purpose of fostering patriotism.' Such language exposes the administration’s fear of honest, inclusive education that challenges the status quo.
In a separate interview on NBC’s Meet the Press, Bunch discussed the museum’s 250th-anniversary exhibition 'American Aspirations,' saying, 'It’s really important for people to understand that America is much an ideal as it is a place… let us honor the words of Thomas Jefferson and the founders, but let us use those to challenge us to be better.' Bunch’s words underscore the need to confront America’s past honestly and strive for a more just future.