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• President Trump signed an executive order to reshape the Smithsonian Institution, targeting what he calls “improper ideology” in its programs.
• The order aims to remove “divisive, race-centered ideology” from Smithsonian museums, educational and research centers, and the National Zoo.
• This move is part of a broader effort to overhaul diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives across federal institutions.

Quick Brief

2-Minute Digest

Essential Context

President Trump’s executive order, titled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History,” is designed to eliminate what he perceives as “improper ideology” from the Smithsonian Institution. This includes removing exhibits or programs that “degrade shared American values, divide Americans based on race, or promote programs or ideologies inconsistent with Federal law and policy.”

Core Players

• President Trump – Signed the executive order targeting the Smithsonian Institution.
• The Smithsonian Institution – Operates nearly two dozen museums and galleries, educational and research centers, and the National Zoo.
• The Vice President and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) – Tasked with ensuring future appropriations adhere to federal guidelines.
• The Secretary of the Interior – Responsible for reviewing public monuments, memorials, or statues for changes since 2020.

Key Numbers

• 24+ – Number of museums and galleries operated by the Smithsonian Institution.
• 2020 – The year from which changes to public monuments, memorials, or statues will be reviewed.
• Multiple – Federal agencies involved in the oversight and implementation of the executive order.

Full Depth

Complete Coverage

The Catalyst

President Trump’s executive order is a response to what he claims is a “concerted and widespread effort to rewrite our Nation’s history” over the last decade. He argues that certain ideologies have been promoted that are inconsistent with federal law and policy.

This move aligns with broader efforts to reshape federal institutions and their approaches to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Inside Forces

The order tasks the Vice President and the Director of the OMB with working with Congress to ensure that future appropriations to the Smithsonian adhere to federal guidelines. This includes prohibiting spending on exhibits or programs deemed divisive or inconsistent with federal law.

The Secretary of the Interior is also directed to review any changes to public monuments, memorials, or statues since 2020 to ensure they do not perpetuate a “false reconstruction of American history.”

Power Dynamics

The executive order reflects a significant shift in power dynamics, with the federal government exerting greater control over the content and direction of the Smithsonian Institution. This move is part of a larger strategy to influence how American history is presented and interpreted.

President Trump’s administration has been critical of what it sees as a liberal bias in educational and cultural institutions, and this order is a direct attempt to address those concerns.

Outside Impact

The order has broader implications for the presentation of American history and the role of federal institutions in shaping cultural narratives. Critics argue that this move could lead to the erasure of historical facts and the suppression of diverse perspectives.

Supporters, however, see it as a necessary step to restore what they believe is a more accurate and unified portrayal of American history.

Future Forces

The implementation of this order will likely face significant resistance and legal challenges. The Smithsonian Institution and other affected entities may contest the order, arguing it infringes on their autonomy and academic freedom.

Additionally, the order’s impact on the Women’s History Museum, which is in development, will be closely watched. President Trump has specified that the museum should not recognize men as women in any respect.

Data Points

• March 27, 2025 – Date the executive order was signed.
• 2020 – The year from which changes to public monuments, memorials, or statues will be reviewed.
• Multiple federal agencies – Involved in the oversight and implementation of the executive order.
• Women’s History Museum – Subject to specific guidelines in the executive order regarding gender recognition.