Trump Targets Smithsonian with Order to Remove Divisive Ideologies

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump signed an executive order on March 27, 2025, directing Vice President JD Vance to eliminate what he termed ‘improper, divisive, or anti-American’ ideologies from programs affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution, which is home to 21 museums and the National Zoo. This move is part of a larger effort against liberal cultural narratives and aims to restore what Trump describes as America’s objective historical integrity.

Trump’s order claims there has been a decade-long ‘concerted effort’ to rewrite American history by replacing ‘objective facts’ with a ‘distorted narrative driven by ideology.’ He suggests that these revisions misrepresent the founding principles of the United States, framing them in a negative context.

At a press briefing following the signing, Trump remarked, ‘Museums in our Nation’s capital should be places where individuals go to learn — not to be subjected to ideological indoctrination or divisive narratives that distort our shared history.’

The executive order notably targets several Smithsonian museums, including the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which the president accused of promoting divisive narratives rooted in racial issues. According to Trump, these institutions have embraced an ideology that undermines American and Western values, leading to an environment that he argues is detrimental to national unity.

As outlined in the order, Vice President Vance will oversee efforts to purge the Smithsonian of perceived improper ideologies. He will collaborate with the White House’s Office of Management and Budget to ensure that appropriations do not fund programs or exhibits that he claims ‘degrade shared American values’ or ‘divide Americans based on race.’

In addition to reshaping the Smithsonian’s programming, the order emphasizes the reinstatement of public monuments that have been removed or altered since January 1, 2020. Trump is pushing for these changes as an action against what he considers to be a ‘false reconstruction of American history,’ which he asserts minimizes the significance of notable historical events and figures.

The administration’s initiative also intends to improve the infrastructure of Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia, with completion slated for July 4, 2026, to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Linda St. Thomas, the chief spokesperson for the Smithsonian Institution, declined to comment on the executive order when contacted by media representatives.

Trump’s actions align with a broader Republican agenda aimed at countering diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives across federal entities and educational institutions. This order further directs Vance to work with Congress to appoint new members to the Smithsonian Board of Regents who support the new policy direction.

Critics of the order, including various scholars and cultural leaders, have expressed concerns that it is driven by an unfounded fear that the American public cannot engage with the complexities of its history. Georgetown University History Professor Chandra Manning remarked, ‘The exhibits at the Smithsonian challenge us to face the contradictions between our highest ideals and actual events and facts.’

As the national conversation surrounding cultural representation and historical narratives continues to evolve, the implications of this executive order may significantly impact how American history and its myriad interpretations are presented to the public through federally funded institutions.