Trump’s Executive Order on American History
President Trump has expressed frustration with how the federal government treats American exceptionalism. On March 27, 2025, he signed an Executive Order titled “Restore Truth and Sanity to American History.”
According to Trump, “In the last ten years, we’ve seen a significant push to distort our history, replacing true facts with ideologically driven narratives.”
Trump emphasized that his administration aims to rehabilitate federal historic sites—parks and museums—transforming them into public monuments that celebrate America’s remarkable heritage and ongoing journey towards unity, freedom, and prosperity.
The White House Domestic Policy Council identified problems within the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History, describing it as suffering from various “symptoms.” On Independence Day, they released a comprehensive report highlighting these issues.
The report stresses that the museum should convey an honest, proud, and serious account of America’s origins, emphasizing what makes the country unique and worthy of preservation.
However, it notes that the museum’s recent narrative has instead leaned toward a condescending revisionist history, promoting a left-leaning agenda that seems designed to confuse and alienate visitors.
The report calls attention to the ideological stance of NMAH’s current director, Anthea Hartig, who views history as “a primary tool for social justice.” She intends to integrate research with activism and has plans to shift focus away from an “America First” perspective when discussing historical events. This includes reexamining the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026.
- Hartig’s position includes challenging the traditional British-centric narrative of America’s founding.
Along with concerns about Hartig’s radical views, the report shares various examples of the NMAH’s portrayal of America as a deeply flawed nation, perpetually grappling with systemic racism and oppression. This includes suggesting that the country fundamentally embodies white supremacy, slavery, and class injustice.
For instance, the museum has faced criticism for:
- A special Independence Day celebration for the 250th anniversary being canceled.
- Ending patriotic events, like Flag Day ceremonies.
- Labeling Christopher Columbus with negative descriptors.
- Consistently undermining the contributions of white, male, Christian figures in its educational materials.
- Labeling iconic American figures and symbols through a critical lens, such as referring to Mickey Mouse as connected to blackface traditions.
- Including unverified speculations in exhibits about the roles of enslaved people in historical narratives.
- Incorporating gender ideology and targeting children with discussions on identity fluidity.
The Domestic Policy Council concluded that, given its current leadership and interpretive framework, the Smithsonian Institution, particularly the National Museum of American History, cannot reliably convey America’s story in an inspiring manner.
The museum has yet to respond to inquiries regarding these critiques.
