Four Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives have expressed strong opposition to President Trump's plan to reform the Smithsonian Institution. In a letter to J.D. Vance dated April 17, they emphasize the importance of bipartisan cooperation and the Smithsonian's role in uniting diverse American stories. The members fear that Trump's directive, which seeks to purify the institution's programming from what he deems 'improper partisan ideology,' may undermine its inclusive mission and lead to a politicized narrative, countering decades of collaborative efforts.
These efforts represent the Smithsonian at its best: bringing together ideologically and geographically diverse Americans of many backgrounds to learn about our shared national story and build the nation's collective memory.
Unfortunately, we now stand at the brink of seeing the Smithsonian at its worst: shaped solely by the views and ideology of one individual as a means of expanding his political power.
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