The Smithsonian Institution recently made headlines after removing a label from the National Museum of American History exhibition, The American Presidency, that referenced Donald Trump’s two impeachments. This decision, as reported by the Washington Post and confirmed by a Smithsonian spokesperson to Hyperallergic, follows a controversial directive by the Trump administration to eliminate what they deemed as “improper, divisive, or anti-American” ideology from the Smithsonian network.
The label detailing Trump’s impeachments was added to the exhibition in September 2021, months after the Capitol insurrection on January 6. However, the Smithsonian justified the removal by stating that other sections of the presidential exhibition had not been updated since 2008. The exhibition, spanning 7,500 square feet and featuring thematic sections including a display of Abraham Lincoln’s top hat, first opened in 2000.
According to the Washington Post, the removed label also mentioned the impeachments of Bill Clinton, Andrew Johnson, and Richard Nixon, although the extent of detail provided on these cases remains unclear. The Smithsonian spokesperson explained that the decision to revert the impeachment display to its 2008 appearance was due to the significant time and funding required to update a large permanent gallery like The American Presidency.
While the temporary inclusion of Trump’s impeachments was intended as a short-term measure to address current events, the Smithsonian decided to remove it after a recent content review in July. This move aligns with the institution’s commitment to ensuring unbiased content and maintaining its congressionally ensured independence amidst calls for investigation into the impacts of Trump’s executive order on the Smithsonian.
The fallout from Trump’s directive has already resulted in the resignation of Kim Sajet, the former director of the National Portrait Gallery, who was accused by Trump of being a “highly partisan person.” Artist Amy Sherald also made headlines after canceling an upcoming exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery due to concerns that her painting of a transgender Statue of Liberty, “Trans Forming Liberty,” might be replaced with a video addressing transgender issues.
As the Smithsonian navigates these challenges and strives to uphold its mission of preserving and presenting American history, the removal of Trump’s impeachment references from The American Presidency exhibition underscores the complex interplay between politics, history, and museum curation in today’s society.
