Trump orders removal of ‘divisive race-centred ideology’ from Smithsonian

The executive order also sets the stage for the reinstatement of Confederate monuments

Donald Trump signed an executive order to remove ‘improper ideology’ from the famed Smithsonian Museums. Picture: Getty Images/AFP

President Trump issued an executive order aimed at removing what he considers improper ideologies from the Smithsonian Institution in his administration’s latest move to exert control over federally controlled cultural institutions.

Trump’s order, signed Thursday (Friday AEDT), tasks Vice President JD Vance, who serves on the Smithsonian Institution’s Board of Regents, and other officials with ensuring future programs at the Smithsonian don’t divide Americans based on race, or promote programs or ideologies inconsistent with federal law and policy.

Created by the US government, the Smithsonian is the world’s largest museum and research complex, consisting of 21 museums, 14 education centres and the National Zoo.

The order criticised the Smithsonian, saying it has “come under the influence of a divisive, race-centred ideology” in recent years. “Museums in our Nation’s capital should be places where individuals go to learn — not to be subjected to ideological indoctrination or divisive narratives that distort our shared history,” the order said.

The order said that the forthcoming American Women’s History Museum wouldn’t “recognise men as women in any respect,” suggesting the mention of transgender women would be prohibited.

The Smithsonian didn’t respond to a request for comment.

David Skorton, former secretary of the Smithsonian, defended the institution. “The Smithsonian professionals always base their work on the best traditions of research and scholarship and remain among the most respected in the world,” Skorton said in a statement.

Trump’s executive order follows his takeover of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts last month. Trump removed several members of the organisation’s board, which is typically bipartisan, and appointed himself chairman. Trump cited his disapproval of drag shows being held at the Kennedy Center.

The Trump administration’s targeting of what it perceives to be divisive content at the Smithsonian draws parallels to its efforts to weed out diversity, inclusion and equity programs in the federal government. The administration has said such programs are a form of discrimination and divide Americans by race. Trump’s efforts to crack down on DEI programs has also extended to corporate America and prestigious law firms.

US President Donald Trump waves while walking to board Marine One as he departs the White House on Friday. Picture: AFP

“First Trump removes any reference of diversity from the present — now he’s trying to remove it from our history,” said Rep. Jasmine Crockett, a Texas Democrat. “Let me be PERFECTLY clear — you cannot erase our past and you cannot stop us from fulfilling our future.”

The executive order cites the National Museum of African American History and Culture as one of the organisations promoting divisive, race-based ideology. The museum was established by an act of Congress and approved by President George W. Bush. It opened in 2016.

The directive singled out an exhibit called “The Shape of Power: Stories of Race and American Sculpture,” featured at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

“The exhibit further claims that ‘sculpture has been a powerful tool in promoting scientific racism’ and promotes the view that race is not a biological reality but a social construct, stating ‘Race is a human invention,’” the executive order said.

The president’s order also calls for the interior secretary to determine whether any public monuments, memorials and statues within the agency’s jurisdiction were removed over the last five years to “perpetuate a false reconstruction of American history” or “any other improper partisan ideology.”

The secretary, Doug Burgum, will reinstate any such memorials determined to have been inappropriately removed, the order said.

Several monuments and statues of Confederates and other historical figures who advocated for slavery or white supremacy were removed after the George Floyd protests in 2020.Wall Street Journal