The Trump administration has threatened to cut off federal cooperation and funding for exhibits at the Smithsonian Institution, accusing its leadership of engaging in "ideological activism." The Interior Department communicated this warning in a letter to the Smithsonian's Board of Regents, asserting that taxpayer funds and executive branch support should not be used to advance a "divisive, ideological agenda."
According to the letter, signed by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and White House domestic policy assistant Vince Haley, executive departments and agencies may cease supporting the Smithsonian by loaning artifacts, enabling procurement processes, and making discretionary grants. The department requested an in-person meeting with the Board of Regents to discuss the issues.
The administration's concerns stem from a July 4 report by the White House Domestic Policy Council. This report, spanning 162 pages, specifically criticized the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History (NMAH) and its leadership for alleged "extreme political activism" and presenting what the report terms a "radical view of American history." The report cited examples of "anti-White activism," "illegal alien activism," and "transgender activism" within the museum's exhibits.
NMAH Director Anthea Hartig previously defended the museum's work in congressional hearings in July, stating that the institution "does not take sides" in political debates and operates under "standards of scholarship, accuracy, independence, and nonpartisanship." Hartig acknowledged the White House report but asserted that it "does not fairly or accurately" represent the museum's efforts.
The July 4 report emphasized that the Smithsonian Institution receives over $1 billion annually in federal funding, approximately 62% of its total budget. The remaining funds come from trust funds, private contributions, and revenue from its enterprises. The report stated that public funding grants taxpayers the right to expect the institution to act as a "faithful steward of the Nation's historic and cultural heritage, not as a vehicle for ideological campaigns."
Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch, who has led the institution since 2019, has previously affirmed the Smithsonian's "independence" from political influence. In a September 2025 letter to employees, Bunch reiterated this commitment, stating that the institution remains dedicated to telling the "American story" and serving as "a place that welcomes all Americans and the world."