The Trump White House has once again threatened to cut funding to the Smithsonian Institution if it does not comply with their requests for records and documents. In a letter dated December 18, addressed to Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III, the White House emphasized the importance of providing exhibition drafts and other materials for review.
The letter, signed by Vince Haley and Russell Vought, highlighted the government’s funding of 62% of the Smithsonian’s budget and warned that this funding could be withheld if the institution does not meet their demands. This latest threat comes as part of an ongoing probe into the Smithsonian’s programming and operations, particularly in relation to the upcoming 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
This is not the first time the Trump administration has targeted the Smithsonian. In January, all federally funded Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion offices and initiatives were terminated. In March, an executive order titled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History” gave Vice President JD Vance the power to block funding if the Smithsonian continued to present American and Western values in a negative light.
In August, Haley and Vought sent a letter to Bunch outlining plans for a comprehensive review of eight national history and art museums within the Smithsonian. The review aimed to ensure that the institution celebrated American exceptionalism and avoided divisive or partisan narratives.
The December letter acknowledged that the Smithsonian had provided some documents in September but claimed that the majority of the requested files were still outstanding. The White House expressed concern that the Smithsonian may not be conveying a positive view of American history, as mandated by the administration.
The ongoing threats of blocked funding have already had an impact on the Smithsonian’s operations. DEI offices across the museums have been dissolved, and there have been instances of exhibitions being closed or withdrawn due to concerns about content.
In response to the recent letter, a spokesperson for the Smithsonian declined to comment. The situation remains tense as the institution navigates the demands of the Trump administration while striving to maintain its mission of preserving and presenting American history.
This article has been rewritten from a news post originally published on Hyperallergic.
