The Smithsonian Institution and the National Zoo officially closed their doors to the public on Sunday, marking the 13th day of the ongoing government shutdown.
On Friday, the Smithsonian announced via social media platform X that the museum would shut down on Sunday, with no clear date for reopening.
“Due to the government shutdown, the Smithsonian Institution, along with its research centers and the National Zoo, will be temporarily closed starting Sunday, October 12th. We will update our operational status as the situation evolves,” the statement noted. “We currently don’t plan to provide updates on social media aside from informing you about changes to our business status.”
This week, many government employees are set to miss their first paycheck, with some working without pay while others have been furloughed until the situation resolves. The Trump administration also laid off thousands of government workers on Friday, prompting immediate legal challenges.
Earlier this year, the Smithsonian had to freeze federal hiring and close its diversity department in January, which aligned with President Trump’s efforts to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs within federal agencies.
Trump has had a contentious relationship with the Smithsonian during his second term. He attempted to dismiss Kim Saget, the director of the National Portrait Gallery, earlier this year, labeling her a “strong supporter” of DEI initiatives. She subsequently resigned.
In August, the White House initiated a review of certain Smithsonian museums to ensure alignment with Trump’s directive to promote “American exceptionalism,” eliminate divisive narratives, and restore faith in cultural institutions.
This summer, the National Museum of American History removed references to Trump’s impeachment from its exhibits, only to put them back later.
During Trump’s first term in 2019, the Smithsonian faced a loss of $3.4 million in revenue due to a 35-day government shutdown, the longest in U.S. history.
About 62% of the Smithsonian’s budget is funded by federal dollars, with the remainder coming from donations and revenue generated through merchandise and food sales.
Spanning 21 museums, nine research centers, and a zoo, the Smithsonian operates across Washington, DC, and New York. It was initially expected to remain open until October 6 but extended that deadline to Sunday.
As the House continues to be in recess and senators from both parties appear unwilling to concede their demands to reopen the government, the chances for a quick resolution look quite slim as the shutdown enters its third week.
