Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch has pushed back against a critical White House report that accused the National Museum of American History of presenting a "radical view" of American history. In an internal letter to staff obtained by ABC News, Bunch stated that the institution is “carefully” reviewing the report's findings but argued that it is not an accurate portrayal of the museum's efforts.
"While there will always be room for improvement, this report is not a fair characterization of the work and totality of the National Museum of American History," Bunch wrote in the letter. He added that the Smithsonian's work is "driven by scholarship, accuracy, and an uncompromising commitment to tell the fullness of America's story." He also expressed that as public servants, the institution is charged with helping the nation find understanding, hope, and clarity through excellence and reflection.
The White House Domestic Policy Council released the 162-page report on July 4, alleging that the Smithsonian Institution engaged in "extreme political activism" and promoted a "radical view of American history." The report specifically targeted the National Museum of American History, stating its leadership adopted an "ideological framework that no longer treats the American story as a shared national inheritance to be taught or celebrated, but as a political instrument to divide, dispirit, and discourage our citizens."
According to the report, the museum was accused of promoting "anti-White activism," "illegal alien activism," and "transgender activism." The document also included photographs of materials identified by the White House as problematic.
A spokesperson for the Smithsonian, which oversees 21 museums, galleries, and the National Zoo, reiterated the institution's commitment to impartial learning. "For more than 180 years, the Smithsonian has served the American public with nonpartisan and independent scholarship, and we remain committed to doing so," the spokesperson told ABC News.
The White House report was issued as part of an ongoing review of the Smithsonian, alongside a separate internal review initiated by the institution itself into its exhibits and processes.
The White House review stems from President Donald Trump's executive order on March 27, 2025, titled "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History." The order directed Vice President J.D. Vance to consult with domestic policy advisors to "remove improper ideology" from Smithsonian institutions, asserting that materials casting the U.S. in a "negative light" have no place in federal cultural institutions.
The White House report stated that the concerns raised were not about isolated exhibits or labels, but rather suggested that the museum's content was intended to discourage patriotism. "As it stands today, it would benefit most Americans, especially parents bringing their children for a tour, if the Smithsonian's flagship history museum had a label at every entrance that reads: 'Warning: the exhibits in this museum were prepared by people who don't want you to love your country,'" the report claimed.
Sarah Weicksel, executive director of the American Historical Association, previously told ABC News that the White House appears to be seeking a "narrowly sanitized version of the American past" for federal cultural institutions that aligns with Trump's executive order. The American Historical Association, representing 10,000 historians, has defended the Smithsonian and urged the White House to respect the expertise of historians, curators, and museum professionals.
"History is under attack right now, and we are seeing our expertise devalued in the public sphere," Weicksel stated in an interview. "It is really upsetting to see the executive branch intervening in our work."