Rep. Jamie Raskin Introduces Bill to Force Smithsonian to Preserve Trump-Era Artifacts
On October 7, Democratic Representative Jamie Raskin from Maryland presented the "Preserving and Remembering the History of Trump and other Tyrants Act." This legislation mandates the Smithsonian to gather and display artifacts that reflect the Trump administration's confrontations with its museums and research institutions, which Trump labeled as "extreme political activism." The exhibition will take place at the National Museum of American History (NMAH) and will showcase items illustrating "the rise of governmental propaganda, corruption, and authoritarianism" from both terms of Trump's presidency. The bill highlights artifacts related to Executive Order 14416, which required content warning signs outside NMAH, along with banners featuring Trump's image on federal buildings. Raskin emphasized the importance of examining the actions of this "corrupt President" to prevent a recurrence of authoritarianism.
Key facts
- Democratic Representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland proposed the bill on October 7.
- The bill is titled "Preserving and Remembering the History of Trump and other Tyrants Act."
- It calls on the Smithsonian to preserve and permanently exhibit artifacts related to the Trump administration's aggression against its museums and research centers.
- Trump accused the Smithsonian of "extreme political activism."
- The display would be at the National Museum of American History (NMAH).
- Artifacts would reflect "the rise of governmental propaganda, corruption, and authoritarianism" under both of Trump's presidential terms.
- Examples include items related to Executive Order 14416, which called for content warning signs outside NMAH, and banners with Trump's portrait on federal buildings.
- Raskin issued a press statement saying the public must learn about the tools Trump deployed to remake American history according to his "autocratic and white nationalist beliefs."
Entities
Artists
- Jamie Raskin
- Donald Trump
Institutions
- Smithsonian Institution
- National Museum of American History
- US Congress
- Democratic Party
Locations
- Maryland
- United States
- Washington, DC