{"id":2555722,"date":"2026-01-28T15:07:01","date_gmt":"2026-01-28T20:07:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/white-house-review-of-smithsonians-america-250-plans-underway\/"},"modified":"2026-01-28T15:12:04","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T20:12:04","slug":"white-house-review-of-smithsonians-america-250-plans-underway","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/white-house-review-of-smithsonians-america-250-plans-underway\/","title":{"rendered":"White House review of Smithsonian&#8217;s America 250 plans underway"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fwhite-house-review-of-smithsonians-america-250-plans-underway%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2555722&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The White House is conducting a review of the Smithsonian\u2019s exhibits and operations related to the America 250 semiquincentennial after obtaining extensive documentation from the institution. OMB General Counsel Mark Paoletta said the materials were provided and are under review,and officials plan continued engagement with the Smithsonian. OMB Director Russ Vought has pushed for federal museums to present a more positive view of American history, arguing that Smithsonian exhibits should reflect \u201cunity, progress, and enduring values.\u201d The White House first requested records from Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch in August and later demanded detailed materials\u2014current wall texts, exhibit proposals and budgets, object checklists, governance manuals, and approval chains\u2014by Jan. 13, 2026, saying an earlier Sept. 11, 2025, deadline was missed. The review is part of broader efforts by the Trump administration to scrutinize federally funded content it views as portraying U.S. history negatively.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">White House review of Smithsonian&rsquo;s America 250 plans underway<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2471684\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/section\/news\/white-house\/\">White House<\/a> has obtained extensive documentation from the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/smithsonian-institution\/\">Smithsonian Institution <\/a>detailing its operations, as the Trump administration conducts a review of one of the country&rsquo;s most prestigious cultural centers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The Smithsonian provided additional documents to the White House per the White House&rsquo;s letter requesting additional materials on exhibits. The documents are currently being reviewed, and we will continue to engage with the Smithsonian upon our review,&rdquo; Office of Management and Budget General Counsel Mark Paoletta told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4437294\/rubio-trump-administration-love-regime-change-cuba\/\">Rubio says Trump administration would &#8216;love&#8217; to see regime change in Cuba<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4437264\/nicki-minaj-sells-trump-accounts-amid-2026-affordability-blitz\/\">White House trots out Nicki Minaj to sell &#8216;Trump accounts&#8217; amid 2026 affordability blitz<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4436696\/trump-warns-jacob-frey-playing-with-fire-failing-enforce-federal-immigration-laws-minneapolis\/\">Trump warns Minneapolis mayor is &#8216;PLAYING WITH FIRE&#8217; by failing to <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >enforce federal immigration laws<\/a><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>The development marks the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/trump-administration\/\">Trump administration&rsquo;s<\/a> latest effort to eradicate federally funded exhibits, shows, and guidelines from the sprawling Smithsonian network that it believes <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3498216\/white-house-smithsonian-content-review-museums-trump\/\">negatively frames U.S. history <\/a>from a progressive, Marxist perspective.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The American people will have no patience for any museum that is diffident about America&rsquo;s founding or otherwise uncomfortable conveying a positive view of American history, one which is justifiably proud of our country&rsquo;s accomplishments and record,&rdquo; OMB Director Russ Vought wrote in a letter last year to the Smithsonian.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The White House <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/briefings-statements\/2025\/08\/letter-to-the-smithsonian-internal-review-of-smithsonian-exhibitions-and-materials\/\">initially requested<\/a> the materials from&nbsp;Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch last August, saying it wanted to ensure &ldquo;national museums reflect the unity, progress, and enduring values that define the American story,&rdquo; ahead of the United States&rsquo;s <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4435626\/america-250-state-celebrations-virginia-pennsylvania-new-york\/\">250th anniversary of independence<\/a> in July.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>In December, Vought and other officials sent Bunch another letter, complaining that the White House had not yet <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/australia-confirms-it-granted-novak-djokovic-a-valid-visa-blames-computer\/\" title=\"Australia Confirms It Granted Novak Djokovic a Valid Visa, Blames Computer\">received documentation<\/a> of current exhibition descriptions, draft plans for upcoming shows, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/arkansas-governors-school-may-teach-students-lesson-on-white-privilege\/\" title=\"Arkansas \u2018Governor\u2019s School\u2019 May Teach Students Lesson On \u2018White Privilege\u2019\">upcoming programming<\/a> materials, and internal guidelines used in exhibition development. Vought requested that the materials be delivered by Jan. 13, 2026, saying that the Smithsonian had missed a Sept. 11, 2025, deadline.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4418027\/what-is-america-250\/\">WHAT IS AMERICA 250?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Current wall texts and didactics, exhibition proposals and budgets, object checklists for upcoming programming, internal governance manuals, and chain-of-command records for content approval are not obscure archival requests,&rdquo; he wrote. &ldquo;These are the records that every accredited museum is expected to maintain and produce without delay, as they provide the basis for responsible stewardship of significant national collections and for meeting the rigorous transparency standards imposed by federal law, the Smithsonian&rsquo;s own directives, and the professional standards of the museum field.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The letter added concerns about the Smithsonian Institution&rsquo;s readiness to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4428706\/trump-mlb-nba-nfl-nhl-commissioners-america-250\/\">celebrate the semiquincentennial<\/a>, saying the White House is seeking assurance that leadership is not &ldquo;confused about the fact that the United States has been among the greatest forces for good in the history of the world.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>White House reviews Smithsonian America 250 plans<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3142,"featured_media":2555723,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Donald-Trump-National-Arts-Endowment.webp?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[53982,72125,69519,17565,32127],"class_list":["post-2555722","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-america250","tag-federal-review","tag-semiquincentennial","tag-smithsonian","tag-white-house"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Donald-Trump-National-Arts-Endowment.webp?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2555722","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3142"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2555722"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2555722\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2555735,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2555722\/revisions\/2555735"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2555723"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2555722"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2555722"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2555722"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}