Michael Harriot Discusses Trump's Attack on the NMAAHC

On August 12, members of the Trump Administration issued a letter to Smithsonian Institution Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III informing him of an internal review of their exhibit and materials.

“As we prepare to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our Nation’s founding, it is more important than ever that our national museums reflect the unity, progress, and enduring values that define the American story,” the letter reads. “In this spirit, and in accordance with Executive Order 14253, Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History, we will be leading a comprehensive internal review of selected Smithsonian museums and exhibitions.

According to the overseers, the purpose of the initiative is to “ensure alignment with the President’s directive to celebrate American exceptionalism, remove divisive or partisan narratives, and restore confidence in our shared cultural institutions,” in five key areas.

1. Public-facing Content: A review of exhibition text, wall didactics, websites, educational materials, and digital and social media content to assess tone, historical framing, and alignment with American ideals.

2. Curatorial Process: A series of interviews with curators and senior staff to better understand the selection process, exhibition approval workflows, and any frameworks currently guiding exhibition content.

3. Exhibition Planning: A review of current and future exhibitions, with particular attention to those planned for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

4. Collection Use: Evaluation of how existing materials and collections are being used or could be used to highlight American achievement and progress, including whether the Smithsonian can make better use of certain materials by digitizing or conveying to other institutions.

5. Narrative Standards: The development of consistent curatorial guidelines that reflect the Smithsonian’s original mission.

While some have classified this as an attack on Black history, after speaking with employees at the National Museum of African American History and Culture as well as other Smithsonian institutions, I can only say that they view this initiative as a much larger threat.

Let me explain.