The White House has initiated a review of selected Smithsonian Institution museums to ensure their exhibitions align with President Donald Trump's vision of American history. This review is part of preparations for the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

A letter dated August 12, addressed to Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch, outlines the scope of the review. It will assess various aspects of the museums, including public-facing content, curatorial processes, exhibition planning, and the use of collections. The review will focus initially on eight museums, including the National Museum of American History and the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

The review follows an executive order signed by Trump in March, titled "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History." This order aims to eliminate what the administration describes as "improper ideology" from the Smithsonian's operations. The initiative has drawn criticism from various quarters, including museum volunteers and online commentators.

The letter from the White House describes the review as a "constructive and collaborative effort." It emphasizes the need to replace divisive or ideologically driven language with historically accurate and unifying descriptions in museum materials. The timeline for implementation includes a 30-day period for museums to provide information about their current exhibits and plans for the anniversary celebrations. By the 120-day mark, museums are expected to begin making necessary content corrections.

Critics have expressed concerns about government intervention in the Smithsonian's operations. Some have labeled the review as an attempt to impose a political agenda on cultural institutions. The letter states that additional museums will be included in a second phase of the review.

In a statement, White House officials asserted that the initiative aims to restore confidence in the Smithsonian as a cultural institution. They stated, "This is about preserving trust in one of our most cherished institutions. The Smithsonian museums and exhibits should be accurate, patriotic, and enlightening."

The Smithsonian has responded by reaffirming its commitment to scholarly excellence and factual presentation of history. The institution stated it would review the White House letter while continuing to collaborate with government officials.

The review comes amid ongoing discussions about the portrayal of historical events at the Smithsonian. Recently, the National Museum of American History faced scrutiny after it removed references to Trump's impeachments from an exhibit, a decision that sparked debate over historical accuracy and political influence.

As the review progresses, the Smithsonian will be under pressure to align its exhibitions with the administration's directives while maintaining its independence as a cultural institution.