Trump signs executive order to end divisive narratives of the Smithsonian

Washington. President Donald Trump signed an executive order last Thursday that aims to force changes in the Smithsonian Institute, considered the world’s largest museum, educational and research complex, to restrict the financing of programs that promote divisive narratives e Inappropriate ideologyin a more attack against culture that he considers too liberal.

Trump said that during the last decade that US instance has made efforts coordinated and generalized To recribe the history of the United States, to replace the objective facts for that distorted narrative promoted by ideology instead of truthhe added that he presents the foundational principles of the United States under a negative light.

The order he signed behind closed doors puts the vice president JD Vance, who is part of the Smithsonian Regent Board, in charge of supervising the efforts to Eliminate inappropriate ideology Of all areas of the institution, including its museums, educational and research centers, as well as the National Zoo.

This action adds to the recent onslaught against the Kennedy center for the performing arts, of which Trump proclaimed himself president, as well as the withdrawal of several hundred millions of dollars in federal funds to the University of Columbia, in New York. The measure was described by the critics of its management as another attack against the cultural pillars of society, that is, universities and art, which the president considers out of tune with conservative sensibilities.

The executive order would also ask for the return of statues and monuments of confederate figures, many of which were removed or replaced throughout the country after the murder of George Floyd at the hands of police in Mineapolis, in 2020, and the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, which Trump and other conservatives. The order also requires improvements in the Hall of Independence in Philadelphia for July 4, 2026, on time for the 250 anniversary of the signing of the declaration of independence.

In addition, Trump criticized the National Museum of Afro -American History and Culture, which opened in 2016 near the White House; to the history of women, who is in development, and that of American art.

Museums in the capital of our nation should be places where people are going to learn, not to be subject to ideological indoctrination or divisive narratives that distort our shared historyhe said.

Linda St. Thomas, the main spokesman of the Smithsonian Institute, said in an email sent on Thursday to the press that for the moment they had no comments.

Under Trump’s order, Vance will also work with the White House Budget office to ensure that future financing for Smithsonian is not spent on programs that They degrade shared US values, divide by race or promote programs or ideologies inconsistent with federal law and politics. Trump also wants to make sure the Women’s History Museum does not recognize men as women in any aspect.

Confederate statues, standing again

The Secretary of the Interior is authorized to restore monuments, memorials, statues and similar properties that have been removed or changed since January 1, 2020, for Perpetuate a false reconstruction of US history, inappropriately minimizing the value of certain historical events or figures, or including any other inappropriate partisan ideology.

The Smithsonian Institute consists of 21 museums, 11 of which are located throughout the National Mall in Washington, as well as the National Zoo.

Among the works of art and the famous artifacts that retain include the desktop of Thomas Jefferson; he Number 1, 1950 (Lavender Mist), by Jackson Pollock, and Archie Bunker’s chair, series fiction character All In The Family.

The institution was established by Congress with money from James Smithson, a British scientist who left its assets to the United States to found In Washington, under the name of Smithsonian Institute, an establishment for the increase and dissemination of knowledge.

These days the exhibition is presented there The form of power: American race and sculpture stories, what Examine the role of sculpture in the understanding and construction of the race concept in the United States.

The sample brings together 82 sculptures created between 1792 and 2023, whose size varies from the palm of the hand to monumental statues created with materials such as bronze, marble, shoes, paper and hair. Elaborated by 70 artists, these pieces are exhibited to allow The juxtaposition of historical and contemporary works that invite dialogue and reflection on the notions of power and identity. The US sculpture has also served as an expression of resistance and liberation, and has been a vital means for the claim of identity.