Trump Smithsonian

FILE - Anthea Hartig, of the National Museum of American History, speaks at an event, Feb. 20, 2026, in Washington.

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Smithsonian history museum chief rejects White House criticism of its leaders as radical activists

Smithsonian history museum chief rejects White House criticism of its leaders as radical activists

The director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History is pushing back against a White House report labeling the institution's leadership as radical activists. Anthea M. Hartig told a House Oversight subcommittee on Tuesday the report does not fairly represent the museum's work. The report was released on July Fourth and criticized the museum as not telling history in an inspiring and unifying way. Republicans echoed these concerns, accusing the museum of presenting history as a power struggle. Hartig emphasizes the museum aims to add voices to the narrative, not erase history. Hartig says the museum does not take sides in political debates.