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Icom-US Supports Smithsonian Amid Trump Administration Attacks

institutional · 2026-08-13

On Tuesday, August 11, the US branch of the International Council of Museums (Icom-US) released a statement supporting the Smithsonian Institution amid recent political criticisms from President Donald Trump and his administration. The statement underscores the importance of museums in fostering public interaction with history and pursuing factual evidence. It raises alarms about recent congressional hearings and actions impacting the Smithsonian, particularly after Trump mandated signage at the National Museum of American History (NMAH) that suggested political bias. Republican lawmakers had interrogated NMAH's director regarding a White House report that accused the museum of lacking 'patriotic pride' and of 'denigrating and displacing whites, males, Christians, and Americans.' Icom-US's statement reaffirms its steadfast support for the Smithsonian's staff and leadership, following a similar declaration from the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) in July. The Smithsonian has faced ongoing scrutiny since the start of Trump's second term, focusing on 'woke' initiatives and attempts to revise US history.

Key facts

  • Icom-US published a statement supporting the Smithsonian Institution on August 11.
  • The statement responds to political attacks by President Donald Trump and his administration.
  • Trump ordered signage outside the National Museum of American History warning of political bias.
  • The NMAH director faced congressional grilling over a White House report.
  • The White House report called the museum not 'proudly patriotic' and accused it of denigrating whites, males, Christians and Americans.
  • Icom-US expresses unwavering support for the Smithsonian's leadership and staff.
  • The statement follows Icom's updated code of ethics released over a month prior.
  • The American Alliance of Museums published a similar statement in July.
  • Attacks on the Smithsonian have been ongoing since Trump's second term began.
  • The statement emphasizes the importance of museum independence and integrity.

Entities

Institutions

  • International Council of Museums (Icom)
  • Smithsonian Institution
  • National Museum of American History (NMAH)
  • American Alliance of Museums (AAM)
  • Unesco

Locations

  • United States

Sources