A congressional hearing erupted into partisan conflict Tuesday as House Republicans interrogated Anthea Hartig, director of the National Museum of American History, over allegations that the Smithsonian Institution has abandoned patriotic storytelling in favor of divisive narratives.
The House Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency, chaired by Rep. Tim Burchett of Tennessee, convened the hearing to examine what Republican lawmakers characterized as ideological capture of one of the nation's most prominent cultural institutions.
Burchett opened the proceedings with a direct critique of the museum's approach to American history. "I feel like [the Smithsonian]'s become infected by a woke ideology that seeped into public displays, educational materials and planning documents," he stated, according to NPR. "The American story is the birth and growth of a great nation founded on powerful ideals and which we aim to fully achieve. But in the museum's current telling, history is just an ongoing power struggle between oppressors and the oppressed."
The hearing followed a 162-page report released by the White House Domestic Policy Council on July 4 that accused the National Museum of American History of institutional capture by radical ideology. The report criticized the museum for allegedly underemphasizing the Founding Fathers and Revolutionary history, failing to adequately celebrate the nation's 250th anniversary, and engaging in what it termed "anti-white," "illegal alien" and transgender activism.
Republican committee members pressed Hartig on specific exhibitions and programming choices. Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina questioned the director about an exhibition called "Girlhood," which addressed gender identity and puberty. "When was your gender revealed to you, Dr. Hartig?" Mace asked, according to NPR.
Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado challenged Hartig more directly: "You intend to use a taxpayer-funded national museum to push a racial narrative that divides Americans by their skin color and guilt?" Hartig maintained composure throughout the questioning and eventually responded: "So the Smithsonian is a nonpartisan institution we're very proud of," NPR reported.
House Democrats issued a 16-page rebuttal nearly simultaneously with the hearing, accusing the Trump administration of attempting to undermine public trust in museums and museum scholars as part of a broader effort to control historical narratives. The Democratic response cited public opinion research showing that museums rank among the top three most trusted institutions in the country, behind only friends and family.
Democratic members framed the hearing as part of what they view as wider Republican attacks on cultural and educational institutions. Rep. Kweisi Mfume of Maryland delivered an impassioned defense of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, another Smithsonian institution. "I'm here as a Black man who grew up in segregation … We will not let you destroy that museum, no matter how long it takes, how many battles are required, how much effort is needed," Mfume said, according to NPR. "We will not allow that to happen unless you find a way to kill all of us and walk over our bodies to change history. That history is too sacred, it is too precious, and it will not be erased."
In a two-page statement released before the hearing, Hartig defended the museum's approach to presenting American history. She emphasized that the institution welcomes feedback and makes changes when evidence supports them, but argued that examining difficult historical chapters does not constitute hostility toward America.
"When historians talk about reframing a traditional narrative, we do not mean erasing it," Hartig wrote in her statement. "We mean adding the evidence, voices and objects that earlier tellings left out, so that more Americans can see themselves in the national story. Examining the harder chapters of our history is not the same as hostility toward America. We can and do honor the Declaration, the Revolution, the Constitution, and our national symbols, and also tell the truth about the times the country fell short of its own founding ideals."
Throughout her testimony, Hartig repeatedly stated that she and her staff "strive to represent all Americans," echoing previous public comments by Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III about the institution's mission.
The Smithsonian operates under a charter that mandates independence from the federal government. Its 21 museums, 14 education and research centers, and the National Zoo are overseen by Bunch and a board of regents that includes Vice President Vance, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, and members appointed by Congress.
Hartig is scheduled to appear before the House Administration Committee on Wednesday for additional questioning. Neither the Smithsonian nor Rep. Burchett's office provided immediate comment to NPR regarding Tuesday's hearing.
