Legal experts are suggesting a significant reform of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History (NMAH), claiming that it has adopted negative and even “self-hating” representations of the country’s history. Curry Stimson, a legal fellow at the Heritage Foundation and a former assistant U.S. attorney in Washington, D.C., expressed his views, stating that this trend aligns with a broader agenda from the radical left to reshape American history into a narrative of oppressors versus the oppressed.
Stimson elaborated that rather than presenting American history in a chronological manner, recognizing both the achievements and the darker moments related to slavery and the efforts made to overcome those issues, the museum leans towards a perspective that portrays the nation unfavorably. He noted that the museum promotes a narrative that emphasizes guilt, suggesting an endorsement of reparations and a belief that “we are a bad country.”
These remarks arose following a White House report released in July 2026 that criticized the Smithsonian for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, which triggered two contentious Congressional hearings and placed scrutiny on Anthea Hartig, the museum’s director.
Critics, including lawmakers, have accused museum officials of politicizing exhibitions. However, Hartig contended that the museum maintains a nonpartisan stance and does not engage in political debates. In response, Stimson argued that the hearings would shed light on the problematic narratives being presented as history, asserting that “sunshine is a good disinfectant.”
Stimson pointedly remarked that if Hartig had any sense of shame regarding her leadership, she would have resigned. He characterized her posture during the hearings as self-righteous and called for her dismissal due to her accountability issues and apparent indifference towards Congressional oversight.
Stimson also reflected on the recent 250th anniversary celebrations, highlighting the disappointing experience for families visiting Washington, D.C., where they encountered “abominations” in the museum instead of uplifting historical narratives. He mentioned specific exhibits that controversially focused on sexually explicit elements related to race and gender, presenting the Founding Fathers in light of their links to slavery rather than celebrating their contributions to the country.
He argued that there should be dedicated sections for pivotal historical events like the Constitutional Convention and the Civil War, asserting that America has endured many challenges that offer reasons for celebration. Stimson expressed his belief that a museum should not be a venue for fostering guilt or self-loathing, saying, “That’s not the way to celebrate your country.”
In what seems like a contradiction, many Democrats have accused Republicans of attempting to “whitewash” history, a claim Stimson dismissed. He defended the idea that admiring America doesn’t equate to ignoring its flaws. He stated that every civilization has faced the issue of slavery, not to condone it, but to recognize it as a part of reality.
Stimson warned that the concerns about historical education extend beyond museums, noting a problematic trend in higher education and even at lower grade levels. He noted that many parents were taken aback by the content their children were being taught during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to a significant rise in homeschooling and interest in school choice across the nation.
He emphasized that parents are the primary educators of their children and have the responsibility to convey America’s history accurately. Stimson suggested that what might be necessary for the museum is a complete overhaul, arguing that the current state is fundamentally flawed. “You have to tear it out root and branch and start over,” he concluded.
Attempts by Fox News Digital to get a response from the Smithsonian Institution went unanswered prior to publication.
