The Smithsonian Institution has quietly taken down a reference to President Donald Trump’s two impeachment proceedings from the “American Presidency” exhibit at the National Museum of American History. The move follows growing pressure from the White House to present a more curated and affirmative interpretation of U.S. history.
Originally added in 2021, the label was part of the exhibit’s “Limits of Presidential Power” section, which highlighted various checks on executive authority. It included references to all past presidential impeachment proceedings—including Trump’s unprecedented two impeachments.
A Smithsonian spokesperson confirmed the label’s removal, which comes as the Trump administration pushes federal cultural institutions to align more closely with what it sees as a constructive narrative of American identity.
Why Were the Impeachment References Removed?
Phillip Zimmerman, a Smithsonian spokesperson, said the decision to revise the section was part of a broader content review. The portion of the exhibit also includes materials related to President Bill Clinton’s impeachment and the Watergate scandal that prompted President Richard Nixon’s resignation.
“Because the other topics in this section had not been updated since 2008, the decision was made to restore the Impeachment case back to its 2008 appearance,” Zimmerman explained in an email.
He noted that a temporary label referencing Trump’s impeachments was installed in September 2021. “It was intended to be a short-term measure to address current events at the time,” he said. However, the label remained long after its expected removal.
“A large permanent gallery like The American Presidency, which opened in 2000, requires a significant amount of time and funding to update and renew,” Zimmerman added. “A future and updated exhibit will include all impeachments.”
Was Political Pressure a Factor?
Museum officials have characterized the update as routine exhibit maintenance. However, the timing has drawn attention.
Since returning to office, President Trump and his administration have called for efforts to eliminate what they view as negative or divisive portrayals of American history.
In March, Trump signed an executive order titled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History”, which accused the Smithsonian of promoting “a divisive, race-centered ideology.”
The President has appointed Vice President JD Vance to oversee a review ensuring that no federal funds are allocated to “exhibits or programmes that degrade shared American values, divide Americans based on race, or promote programmes or ideologies inconsistent with Federal law and policy.”
