Bishop criticizes Smithsonian National Museum of American History over alleged ideological bias

Bishop Earl Walker Jackson, a Black Episcopal leader, said the Smithsonian National Museum of American History is presenting an anti-American narrative, describing it as "indoctrination" that emphasizes race, class and income over national achievements. Jackson, whose great-grandparents were enslaved, told Fox News Digital that the museum’s exhibits and leadership promote a "woke" ideology, citing a White House Domestic Policy Council report that labeled the museum’s programming as "ideological capture."

The report, released in July, criticized the museum for framing U.S. history as a tool for social-justice advocacy. It referenced remarks by museum director Anthea Hartig, who described history as a "prime tool of social justice" and called for reparative measures tied to historical injustices. Jackson responded that history should present facts and allow individuals to draw their own conclusions, rather than seeking to shape public sentiment.

Jackson also referenced earlier disputes with Smithsonian institutions, including a 2015 protest over the inclusion of Margaret Sanger in a civil-rights exhibit, and he linked the museum’s approach to the influence of historian Howard Zinn’s textbook, which he said is widely used in schools. He argued that such perspectives contribute to a broader pattern of what he calls ideological capture across education, media and entertainment.

The White House report and subsequent congressional hearings have intensified scrutiny of the museum’s leadership, though the Smithsonian and related entities have not provided comment to the reporter.