By the authority granted to me as President under the Constitution and the laws of the United States, the following order is issued:
Section 1. Policy. On March 27, 2025, I issued Executive Order 14253 titled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History.” In accordance with this order, the Domestic Policy Council has conducted an extensive review of the Smithsonian Institution and its National Museum of American History (Museum), culminating in a report titled Saving America’s Story: How Ideological Capture at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History Erases Our Heritage (Report).
The report reveals that the leadership of the Smithsonian does not view American history as a collective national legacy to be taught and celebrated. Instead, it considers American history as a tool to promote social justice and societal transformation. Furthermore, the report indicates that the current leadership of both the Smithsonian Institution and the Museum is not reliable in presenting America’s history with integrity and appreciation.
Thus, it is the policy of my Administration to address the concerns outlined in the Report and to reestablish trust in the Smithsonian Institution.
Sec. 2. Restoring Trust in the Smithsonian Institution. The Secretary of the Interior, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the Administrator of General Services, and the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy are instructed to utilize all available authorities to support the objectives of this order. This includes encouraging the rectification of issues highlighted in the Report and ensuring compliance with relevant statutes, regulations, executive actions, and funding or contract conditions.
Sec. 3. Informing Visitors About Ideological Capture at the National Museum of American History. (a) The Secretary of the Interior, through the Director of the National Park Service (NPS) and in coordination with the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, shall place temporary signs along NPS-maintained pathways used by the public to access the Museum. These signs will inform visitors of the Report’s findings and the policy detailed in section 1 of this order. The signage will guide visitors to resources for accurate information on America’s history and indicate that the Museum’s exhibits should be updated in line with the Report’s findings.
(b) Due to the Museum’s failure to properly honor the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence during this 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding, the Secretary of the Interior, through the Director of the NPS and in coordination with the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, is directed to install temporary exhibits or signage on NPS-maintained public pathways and land to correct inaccurate information presented in the Museum.
Sec. 4. General Provisions. (a) This order shall not be interpreted to interfere with or affect:
(i) the legal authority of any executive department or agency, or its head; or
(ii) the duties of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget related to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This order will be implemented in line with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any rights or benefits, substantive or procedural, enforceable by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
(d) The Department of the Interior will bear the costs for the publication of this order.
DONALD J. TRUMP
THE WHITE HOUSE,
July 24, 2026.
