Trump Administration Expands Smithsonian Control Over Race, History Exhibits

President Donald Trump's administration is actively reshaping American historical narratives, particularly through actions targeting institutions like the Smithsonian. His executive order, under the banner of "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History," installed Vice President J.D. Vance to remove what the administration deems "divisive" content, including references to Trump's impeachments and aspects of racial history such as slavery. This approach has drawn criticism from historians and civil rights leaders who argue that it sanitizes or erases important truths about systemic injustice and the legacy of slavery in the United States. Meanwhile, conservative commentary accuses the Left of divisive racial politics, alleging that some on the radical Left promote a narrative that frames white Americans as oppressors and rewrites history to emphasize grievance and victimhood. This cultural battle reflects deeper societal tensions about race, history, and national identity in the United States. Additionally, President Trump declared a public safety emergency in Washington, D.C., highlighting ongoing political and social unrest under his leadership.