The Honorable Lonnie G. Bunch III
Secretary, Smithsonian Institution
1000 Jefferson Dr SW
Washington, DC 20560
Subject: Urgent Request for Review of Smithsonian Exhibitions and Materials
Dear Secretary Bunch,
In our earlier communication dated August 12, 2025, we asked for specific documentation from the Smithsonian Institution. This included current exhibition descriptions, draft plans for future shows, programming materials, and internal guidelines vital for an overall review of selected Smithsonian museums and their exhibitions. While we appreciate the partial documents received on September 18, we must express our disappointment that, over 90 days later, the majority of our requests remain unfulfilled.
We value the initial materials provided, but they were insufficient. Attached as Exhibit A is a memorandum from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), detailing what has been submitted and what still needs to be provided.
The materials we requested—current wall texts, exhibition proposals, object checklists, internal governance manuals, and records of content approval—are not merely trivial requests. These documents are essential for upholding the responsible stewardship of our national collections and ensuring compliance with federal transparency standards, as well as the Smithsonian’s own directives and industry standards. The American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the International Council of Museums (ICOM), and the Association of Art Museum Directors (AAMD) all advocate for the accessibility of such information as a best practice. Furthermore, the Smithsonian Charter mandates accurate records of all institutional proceedings, a requirement echoed in Smithsonian Directive 501.
As representatives appointed by the President under Executive Order 14253, “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History,” we are tasked with ensuring that the Smithsonian adheres to these high standards.
This letter comes with a sense of urgency, especially as we approach the significant milestone of our Nation’s 250th anniversary. It is crucial that the Smithsonian is prepared to embrace its role in this historic celebration. We expect the leadership of the Smithsonian museums to recognize the importance of presenting a confident narrative of American history—one that reflects pride in our nation’s achievements and contributions to the world.
Therefore, we respectfully request your immediate attention to ensure that the remaining documents outlined in Exhibit A are delivered promptly, ideally by January 13, 2025. Additionally, establishing a chain of custody protocol could facilitate tracking materials uploaded to Dropbox by Smithsonian personnel, aiding in the organization and cataloging of diverse asset types.
It is important to note that the funds allocated to the Smithsonian must be utilized in accordance with Executive Order 14253, which underscores the significance of fulfilling the requests made in our August 12 letter.
We appreciate your cooperation in this matter. We trust that you share our commitment to ensuring that the Smithsonian Institution exemplifies excellence in scholarship, presentation, and accountability. The forthcoming 250th anniversary of our Nation provides a unique opportunity to reinforce public confidence in our leading cultural institutions. We are eager to collaborate to ensure the Smithsonian’s contribution to this landmark occasion is a resounding success.
Sincerely,
Vince Haley
Assistant to the President and Director of the Domestic Policy Council
Russell Vought
Assistant to the President and Director of the Office of Management and Budget
EXHIBIT A
MEMORANDUM FOR DIRECTORS VOUGHT AND HALEY
FROM: OMB STAFF
SUBJECT: STATUS UPDATE ON SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION DOCUMENT PRODUCTION PURSUANT TO AUGUST 12, 2025 REQUEST
DATE: DECEMBER 15, 2025
- Your office directed us to monitor the Smithsonian Institution’s compliance with the document request sent from the White House on August 12, 2025. This request was reiterated in subsequent communications.
- So far, the Smithsonian has provided a limited initial set of materials on September 18, followed by sporadic uploads to a shared Dropbox folder. Unfortunately, the majority of the materials due by September 10, 2025, remain missing.
- The submitted materials are incomplete in several crucial areas:
- Current and Upcoming Exhibitions: Folders for current and future exhibitions lack substantive content. No digital files of exhibition wall texts, didactic panels, object labels, or approved budgets have been provided for exhibitions currently on display.
- America 250 Programming: The responses received are scant, often limited to brief statements. Crucial documents such as draft concepts, proposed object checklists, interpretive text, and event schedules are absent. For instance, the National Museum of American History merely stated that its America 250 exhibition will feature “250 objects from across the national collections,” without further details on specific objects or their historical significance.
- Future Exhibition Pipeline (2026–2029): No proposals, timelines, or preliminary budgets for forthcoming exhibitions have been submitted.
- Governance and Internal Processes: The “Policy and Governance” documents consist solely of generic job descriptions, with no organizational charts, curatorial manuals, or exhibition-approval protocols included.
- Points of Contact: The Institution has not provided names or contact information for designated representatives at the requested museums, complicating our ability to follow up directly.
- The lack of basic exhibition-related materials—especially wall text and didactic content currently displayed—is at odds with standard museum practices and the obligations set forth by the AAM, ICOM, and AAMD, which require institutions to maintain accessible documentation regarding their mission, programming, interpretive content, and governance. The AAMD Standards for Professional Practices clearly state that museum directors must have a comprehensive understanding of their institution’s mission, policies, programs, and finances, and are responsible for sharing accurate information with the public.
- To prevent further delays, we recommend that the Smithsonian be instructed to provide a complete and organized response by December 30, 2025, including, at a minimum, the following for each museum and unit:
- Comprehensive files related to America 250 programming, including draft concepts, proposed artwork, descriptive placards, and event outlines;
- Digital files of all wall texts, labels, and educational materials for current exhibitions, along with catalogs and approved budgets, as well as a list of responsible staff and their qualifications;
- An index of traveling and upcoming exhibitions scheduled for 2026–2029, including proposals and preliminary budgets;
- Governance documents, including organizational charts, curatorial manuals, job descriptions, and documentation of exhibition approval processes;
- Names, titles, brief biographies, and contact information for designated representatives at major Smithsonian museums.
Click here to view the signed letter.
