Smithsonian’s Director Faces Scrutiny Amidst Accusations of Bias
Intense scrutiny unfolded Tuesday during a hearing as House Republicans grilled Anthea Hartig, the director of the National Museum of American History. The session, reminiscent of prior criticisms by the Trump administration, accused the museum of lacking patriotism.
The hearing was conducted by the Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency, chaired by Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn). Burchett opened the session with a strong statement: “I feel like [the Smithsonian]’s become infected by a woke ideology that seeped into public displays, educational materials and planning documents. The American story is the birth and growth of a great nation founded on powerful ideals and which we aim to fully achieve. But in the museum’s current telling, history is just an ongoing power struggle between oppressors and the oppressed.”
A detailed report released by the White House Domestic Policy Council on July 4 criticized the museum for being influenced by a “radical, activist ideology” that allegedly distorts America’s historical narrative. The report accused the museum of neglecting the Founding Fathers, diminishing the celebration of the country’s 250th anniversary, and engaging in activism deemed “anti-white,” “illegal alien,” and transgender.
Coinciding with the hearing, House Democrats published a 16-page rebuttal. This document accused the Trump administration of attempting to undermine the credibility of museums and historians, suggesting a broader strategy to manipulate historical records. Citing recent surveys, Democrats highlighted that museums rank highly in public trust, second only to personal relationships.
The partisan divide was evident during the hearing. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) challenged Hartig on an exhibit named “Girlhood” that featured gender identity topics, asking, “When was your gender revealed to you, Dr. Hartig?” Similarly, Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) accused Hartig of using the museum to promote racial division, to which Hartig calmly responded, “So the Smithsonian is a nonpartisan institution we’re very proud of.”
Democrats at the hearing connected the White House report to broader Republican criticisms of cultural institutions. Rep. Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.) passionately defended the National Museum of African American History and Culture, stating: “I’m here as a Black man who grew up in segregation … We will not let you destroy that museum, no matter how long it takes, how many battles are required, how much effort is needed. We will not allow that to happen unless you find a way to kill all of us and walk over our bodies to change history.”
Neither the Smithsonian nor Rep. Burchett’s office provided immediate comments on the proceedings. The Smithsonian’s charter mandates its independence from federal control, with oversight by Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III and a board of regents including prominent national figures.
In her defense, Hartig echoed Bunch’s sentiments on the Smithsonian’s mission, emphasizing inclusivity: “When visitors, scholars, members of Congress, veterans and teachers tell us we have gotten something wrong or only half right, we welcome the feedback; we take it seriously, and we make changes when the evidence supports them. When historians talk about reframing a traditional narrative, we do not mean erasing it. We mean adding the evidence, voices and objects that earlier tellings left out, so that more Americans can see themselves in the national story. Examining the harder chapters of our history is not the same as hostility toward America.”
Hartig will further address these issues before the House Administration Committee on Wednesday.
This article was originally written by www.npr.org
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