Letter to the Smithsonian: Internal Review of Smithsonian Exhibitions and Materials

Summary:The White House notifies the Smithsonian Institution of a comprehensive internal review of selected museums and exhibitions to align public-facing content with Executive Order 14253, Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History. The letter emphasizes collaboration, historical accuracy, and a unifying portrayal of the American story, with clear requests for materials, designated points of contact, and a phased timeline.What’s being reviewed:Public-facing content such as wall text, labels, didactics, websites, educational materials, and social media for tone and alignment with American ideals.Curatorial processes, approval workflows, and guiding frameworks.Current and planned exhibitions, especially for America 250.Use of collections, including digitization and potential conveyance to other institutions.Development of narrative standards consistent with the Smithsonian’s original mission.Initial museums in scope:National Museum of American History; National Museum of Natural History; National Museum of African American History and Culture; National Museum of the American Indian; National Air and Space Museum; Smithsonian American Art Museum; National Portrait Gallery; Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. (Phase II to add more.)Materials requested:America 250 plans, concepts, catalogs, placards, artwork proposals, event themes, and speaker lists.Current exhibition catalogs, programs, budgets, and all wall text/labels.Traveling and upcoming exhibition indexes, proposals, schedules, and preliminary budgets (2026–2029 and next 3 years).Internal manuals, org charts, job descriptions, approval chains, and memos on selection and approvals.Inventory access to permanent holdings.Educational resources (teacher guides, student materials).URLs/descriptions of official sites and microsites.Lists of external partners (artists, historians, nonprofits, advocacy groups).Grant applications/agreements tied to exhibitions and list of currently featured artists who received Smithsonian grants.Visitor surveys and evaluations (in-person and digital).Timeline:Within 30 days: Submit items under the first four areas; designate a staff liaison; commence on-site observational visits and planning reviews.Within 75 days: Submit remaining documentation (items 5–10); begin voluntary interviews with curators and senior staff; finalize and submit updated America 250 plans aligned with the White House Salute to America 250 Task Force.Within 120 days: Begin implementing content corrections, replacing divisive or ideologically driven language with unifying, historically accurate descriptions across all public materials.Outcome:Aim to complete the review and deliver a final report in early 2026, including museum-specific assessments, institutional trends, and recommendations for exhibition strategy.Signatories:Lindsey Halligan, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Associate Staff SecretaryVince Haley, Assistant to the President and Director of the Domestic Policy CouncilRussell Vought, Assistant to the President and Director of the Office of Management and BudgetContext:Anchored in EO 14253; frames the effort as collaborative, standards-driven, and focused on “Americanism” ahead of the Nation’s 250th anniversary.