Trump Administration Targets Smithsonian and Historic Federal Buildings

The Trump Administration escalated its campaign against the Smithsonian Institution with a July 4 report from the Domestic Policy Council accusing the National Museum of American History of ideological bias. The 162-page report, titled 'Saving America’s Story,' follows a March 2025 executive order that had already led to the early closure of an exhibition at the National Museum of the American Latino and the privatization of a symposium at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III defended the institution in a July 8 memo, calling the report unfair. Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance has delayed confirmations of new Board of Regents members, reportedly to allow President Trump to appoint more like-minded candidates. On July 24, Trump issued a new executive order requiring temporary signage outside the NMAH to inform visitors of the report's findings and direct them to 'accurate information.' Separately, the administration plans to demolish four historic federal buildings in Washington, D.C., including the Robert C. Weaver Federal Building (designed by Marcel Breuer) and the Wilbur J. Cohen Federal Building, which houses New Deal-era murals by Phillip Guston and Ben Shahn. In response, Representatives Dina Titus and Lloyd Doggett introduced the PRESERVE Act on July 16 to protect public art in federal buildings. The bill must pass several committees before a vote.