House Democrats are calling on the Smithsonian inspector general to launch an investigation into US President Donald Trump’s March executive order targeting federally funded museums, arguing that the directive may violate federal law and compromise the institution’s independence.
In a letter signed by 71 Democrats that was first shared with Reuters, US Representatives Ayanna Pressley and Paul Tonko are challenging Executive Order 14253 that was issued in March to remove exhibits, sculptures and narratives the administration considers "divisive" or "race-centered ideology."
The letter states that implementation of the order interferes with the Smithsonian's capacity to "document American history and culture accurately."
"What's very clear in Donald Trump's second occupancy and this anti-freedom agenda – is to undermine the freedom to learn," Pressley said in an interview.
"They want a citizenry that's ignorant and uninformed. I want them to know that these abuses of power and the lawless acts of this administration cannot go unchecked."
Established by Congress in 1846, the Smithsonian Institution is mandated to operate as a nonpartisan and autonomous entity, free from political influence. Lawmakers said in the letter that efforts to condition funding on adherence to right-wing ideology threaten the Smithsonian’s legal compliance and oversight.
"We gain nothing by stamping out the rich and diverse history of our nation; we only condemn ourselves and the generations that follow to be more ignorant," Rep. Tonko said in a statement to Reuters.
In his first 100 days, Trump has faced a wave of legal challenges, with many ending in courtroom defeats. More than 200 lawsuits have been filed by advocacy groups, states, and individuals aiming to block executive orders on immigration, birthright citizenship, environmental rollbacks, and efforts to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion programs across the federal government.
The administration has removed, at times temporarily, historical content about African Americans and other minorities from government websites.
In one case, following public backlash, the National Park Service restored a quote and image of US abolitionist Harriet Tubman that had been removed from a site about the Underground Railroad, which helped enslaved Africans escape, according to media reports.
President and CEO of the Association of African American Museums, Vedet Coleman-Robinson, who has played a pivotal role in several D.C. museums and creating diversity plans for their boards, said politics should not get in the way of protecting and preserving collections integral to the fabric of American history.
"These boards and museums have the responsibility to tell the truth about American history," said Coleman-Robinson. "I have a little bit of silver lining and hope that the people doing the work day-to-day will do what's right and stay true to their mission."
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