The White House has initiated a review of the Smithsonian museums and their exhibitions as part of preparations for the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States. The review aims to align the content of these institutions with President Donald Trump’s interpretation of American history. A letter detailing the review was sent to Smithsonian Institution Secretary Lonnie Bunch III on Tuesday.

The review will focus on public-facing content, including social media, exhibition text, and educational materials. The goal is to assess the tone, historical framing, and alignment with what the administration describes as American ideals. The letter stated, "This initiative aims to ensure alignment with the President’s directive to celebrate American exceptionalism, remove divisive or partisan narratives, and restore confidence in our shared cultural institutions."

In response, the Smithsonian expressed its commitment to scholarly excellence and the accurate presentation of history. The institution stated, "We are reviewing the letter with this commitment in mind and will continue to collaborate constructively with the White House, Congress, and our governing Board of Regents."

This review aligns with the Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History Executive Order, signed by Trump in March. The Congressional Black Caucus criticized the administration's efforts, calling them an attempt to "whitewash our nation’s history." They stated, "Donald Trump’s idea that the National Museum of African American History and Culture is guilty of distorting our nation’s history or painting our ‘founding principles’ in a ‘negative light’ is patently ridiculous."

The White House's review will initially target several key museums, including the National Museum of American History, the National Museum of Natural History, and the National Museum of African American History and Culture, among others. All these museums are located in Washington, D.C., where the president has also ordered the deployment of the U.S. National Guard to address a reported crime wave, a claim city officials have disputed.

These museums offer free admission and attract millions of visitors annually. For instance, the National Museum of American History recorded 2 million in-person visits in 2024. The Smithsonian has denied allegations of altering exhibits due to pressure from the Trump administration. Recently, it removed references to Trump’s impeachments from an exhibit on the U.S. presidency, citing consistency and visibility issues as reasons for the change. The Smithsonian clarified, "We were not asked by any Administration or other government officials to remove content from the exhibit."

The institution operates 21 museums and the National Zoo. It stated that the impeachment section of the museum would be updated soon to reflect all impeachment proceedings in U.S. history. Trump was impeached in January 2021 for "incitement of insurrection" following the January 6 Capitol riot.