GOP Lawmakers and White House Challenge Smithsonian Museum's Patriotism

On July 21, 2026, a subcommittee in the House interrogated Anthea M. Hartig, the director of the National Museum of American History, in light of a White House report from the Trump administration. This report accused the museum of a lack of patriotism, criticizing it for not adequately honoring American accomplishments. Republican lawmakers participating in the hearing supported the administration's viewpoint. As a part of the Smithsonian Institution, the museum has come under heightened scrutiny regarding its portrayal of U.S. history. In response, Hartig defended the museum's goal of providing a thorough and inclusive narrative, underscoring the ongoing political discord surrounding the representation of American history in federal entities.