Smithsonian Secretary Dismisses White House Warning Over Leftist Bias at History Museum
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Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch brushed aside a White House report exposing the National Museum of American History’s ideological agenda, insisting the institution remains nonpartisan despite mounting evidence of progressive activism in its exhibits.
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 radical activist ideology. Bunch claimed that the report 'is not a fair characterization of the work and totality of the National Museum of American History,' and insisted that the Smithsonian’s work is guided by scholarship, accuracy, and a commitment to presenting the full story of the United States. However, critics argue that the museum has increasingly prioritized left-wing narratives and controversial social agendas over traditional American values.
He added that the institution remains focused on 'scholarship, nonpartisanship, independence, accuracy and integrity,' noting its 180-year history of collaborating with government partners while pursuing knowledge with rigor for the public. Yet, many see this as an attempt to deflect from the museum’s recent embrace of divisive identity politics and revisionist 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. 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.' These concerns reflect growing alarm that the Smithsonian is abandoning its mission in favor of progressive activism.
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.' While Bunch calls for reflection, critics argue that the museum’s current direction undermines the celebration of America’s founding principles.