Updated August 15, 2025—On August 12, 2025, the White House notified the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution that the administration will undertake a review of exhibitions, materials, and practices at eight Smithsonian museums “to ensure alignment with the President’s directive to celebrate American exceptionalism, remove divisive or partisan narratives, and…

ACLS stands in firm opposition to the latest directive by the White House forcing Smithsonian Institution museums to subject their presentation of American history to government review.

Scholars are pushing back against the Trump administration’s plan to conduct a "comprehensive internal review" of the Smithsonian, viewing it as political interference.

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Thomas Jefferson wanted to donate his personal collection of books to the Library of Congress. But critics thought those books were un-American.

President Trump signed an executive order “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History” on March 27 directing action at the Smithsonian Institution and public monuments, including Independence Hall, to reverse and remove public scholarship and activity related to race and gender in particular, characterized in the order as “divisive narratives” and “improper ideology.”

The "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History" order removes "divisive, race-centered ideology" from Smithsonian museums, educational and research centers, and the National Zoo.

The Wayback Machine is helping preserve the record of government websites before they were changed by the Trump administration. CBS News Confirmed's Rhona Tarrant reports.