Republican Representative Brandon Gill of Texas has thrown his support behind President Donald Trump's recent executive order targeting the Smithsonian Institution, calling for a major overhaul of the museum's exhibits and leadership. Appearing on a national weekend program, Gill praised Trump for taking action against what he described as left-wing bias at the federally funded institution, and urged officials to «clean house.»
The executive order, signed on Friday, directs the installation of signs outside the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History to inform visitors of a White House report that criticized the museum's portrayal of America's past. The order states that the signs should note that the museum's exhibits «should be renovated consistent with the findings in the Report» and should direct visitors to resources for «accurate information regarding America's history.» Additionally, it calls for temporary exhibits or signage that «corrects inaccurate information» presented in the museum.
The action stems from the White House's Saving America's Story report, which argued that the museum's leadership does not present American history as a «shared national inheritance» but instead uses it as a «prime tool» to advance social justice and radical societal transformation. In the order, Trump asserted that the report demonstrated a fundamental failure to properly commemorate the nation's founding history during its 250th anniversary year.
Gill echoed those criticisms, contending that the Smithsonian needs to present an objective telling of American history rather than dividing people by race, ethnicity, gender, or immigration status. «We are one American people, and I think that's what we need to see,» he said, specifically calling for the removal of National Museum of American History Director Anthea Hartig. He asserted that American taxpayers are weary of funding ideological agendas at iconic institutions. «The American people are so sick of seeing the left take control of iconic American institutions,» Gill said. «They want to see a museum that's funded by taxpayers that is promoting patriotism, that promotes American ideals and values, and instead they get this kind of woke nonsense.»
The congressman's remarks reflect a broader conservative critique of the Smithsonian's approach to history, which some view as overly focused on social justice themes. During a committee hearing earlier this week, Hartig defended the museum's work, stating that it does not take sides in political debates but instead preserves evidence of American life so the public can draw its own conclusions. She explained that reframing traditional narratives means adding voices and objects that earlier tellings left out, not erasing history, and that examining harder chapters is not the same as hostility toward America.
The Smithsonian has not yet commented on the executive order or Gill's call for leadership changes. The controversy highlights an ongoing battle over how American history is taught and presented in public institutions, with the Trump administration taking an aggressive stance to reshape the narrative in federal cultural agencies.
