Smithsonian Eliminates Reference to Trump’s Impeachment
The Smithsonian Institution has made headlines by removing a label referencing Donald Trump’s two impeachments from its National Museum of American History exhibition, “The American Presidency.” This decision follows a report by the Washington Post and has been confirmed by the Smithsonian. The removal has sparked discussions, particularly given the Trump administration’s previous efforts to influence the museum’s portrayal of presidential history by purging what it deemed “improper, divisive, or anti-American” ideologies within the Smithsonian network.
The label originally included Trump’s impeachments, along with details of impeachments concerning former presidents such as Bill Clinton, Andrew Johnson, and Richard Nixon. However, the exact content of the removed label, particularly regarding these other presidents, remains unclear as the Smithsonian has not shared an image of the display.
The Smithsonian’s spokesperson explained that the decision to remove the label was due to the outdated nature of other sections in the presidential exhibition, which had not been updated since 2008. Trump’s impeachment details were only a temporary addition to address recent events. The institution plans future updates to include all presidential impeachments comprehensively.
The Smithsonian, which has committed to ensuring unbiased content, is conducting content reviews but did not explicitly confirm they would abide by Trump’s demand to eliminate race-centered ideology.
Trump, notably the only U.S. president impeached twice, faced charges both for pressuring Ukraine concerning Hunter Biden and for his involvement in the January 6 Capitol insurrection. Despite these proceedings, Trump was not removed from office.
The removal of the Trump impeachment reference has raised concerns about the Smithsonian’s independence and objectivity, especially as Congressional democrats have called for an investigation into potential impacts from Trump’s executive orders on the institution. Additionally, high-profile resignations, like Kim Sajet from the National Portrait Gallery, have also contributed to the public debate following Trump’s influence.
The controversy extends beyond administrative actions to the artistic sphere, highlighted by artist Amy Sherald canceling an upcoming exhibition due to potential censorship of her transgender-themed artwork.
This episode at the Smithsonian underscores the ongoing struggle between maintaining historical objectivity and dealing with contemporary political pressures, raising significant questions about how history is recorded and remembered in national institutions.