Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, has voiced support for President Donald Trump's executive order targeting ideological bias at the Smithsonian, advocating for the dismissal of museum officials he claims are promoting left-wing activism over historical accuracy.
Trump's executive order, signed Friday, directs the installation of warning signs outside the National Museum of American History. These signs are intended to notify visitors about a White House report that criticized the museum's portrayal of American history. The order also calls for the creation of temporary exhibits or signage to correct perceived inaccuracies, particularly concerning the museum's commemoration of America's founding history during its 250th anniversary year.
Gill echoed the administration's concerns, stating on "Fox & Friends Weekend" that a president who takes these issues seriously is "refreshing." He called for an "objective telling of American history," asserting that the museum should not group individuals by race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, or immigration status, but rather focus on the concept of "one American people."
"The American people are so sick of seeing the left take control of iconic American institutions," Gill said. "They want to see a museum that's funded by taxpayers that is promoting patriotism, that promotes American ideals and values, and instead they get this kind of woke nonsense."
The congressman specifically called for the termination of National Museum of American History Director Anthea Hartig, arguing that taxpayer funds should not support ideological agendas.
The controversy is linked to the White House's "Saving America's Story" report, which the executive order cites as evidence that the museum's leadership uses exhibits as a "prime tool" for advancing social justice ideas and societal transformation rather than presenting history as a "shared national inheritance."
During a committee hearing, Hartig defended the museum's approach. She stated that the museum documents the breadth of American life to allow the public to draw their own conclusions and that reframing narratives involves adding previously excluded voices and objects, not erasing history. Hartig added that examining difficult historical chapters does not equate to hostility toward America.