"In a new letter, the Trump White House has reignited its threat to pull funding from the Smithsonian Institution amid a probe of the federally funded organization's programming, budgets, and forthcoming commemorations for the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. Dated December 18, the letter addressed to Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III underscored that the institution has yet to provide the majority of the documents requested in August, including "current exhibition descriptions, draft plans for upcoming shows, upcoming programming materials, and internal guidelines used in exhibition development.""
"Vince Haley, president of the Domestic Policy Council, and Russell Vought, president of the Office of Management and Budget, reiterated the US's semi-quincentennial celebration to Bunch in last week's notice, seeking assurance that "none of the leadership of the Smithsonian museums is confused about the fact that the United States has been among the greatest forces for good in the history of the world.""
The December 18 letter to Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III demands records the institution has not yet provided, including current exhibition descriptions, draft plans for upcoming shows, programming materials, and internal exhibition-development guidelines. The notice warns that the federal portion of the Smithsonian's budget—roughly 62%—could be withheld if the institution fails to comply with document requests and proposed amendments. Administration officials sought assurance that Smithsonian leadership recognizes the United States as a major force for good in history. The administration previously ended federally funded Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion offices and issued a March executive order titled "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History," increasing scrutiny of programming and operations.
Read at Hyperallergic
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