Lindsey Halligan, the White House official leading a review of the Smithsonian Institution, said on Newsmax Wednesday that “you can’t really talk about slavery honestly unless you talk about hope and progress.”
Newsweek contacted the Smithsonian Institution for comment on Thursday via email outside of regular office hours.
Why It Matters
On August 12, Halligan wrote to Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch stating that the White House would conduct “a comprehensive internal review of selected Smithsonian museums and exhibitions.”
President Donald Trump criticized the Smithsonian on his Truth Social website, calling it “OUT OF CONTROL” and claiming museums across the country are “WOKE.”
Critics accuse the White House of “political interference” and attempting to promote a “sanitized” version of history. Supporters argue the Smithsonian lacks political balance.
What To Know
Halligan told Newsmax she had asked the Smithsonian for details on its exhibits to determine “where the museum group went wrong,” adding: “Museums that are over 70 percent funded by the federal government shouldn’t be laboratories for political experiments.”
On the subject of slavery, Halligan said: “It’s not about whitewashing, it’s about full context. While slavery is obviously a horrible aspect of our nation’s history, you can’t really talk about slavery honestly unless you also talk about hope and progress. We need to be focusing on the progress we’ve made and stop dwelling only on the lack of progress.”
She added that with the nation’s 250th anniversary approaching next July, the White House hopes the Smithsonian and Washington, D.C., will be “beautiful and amazing” for visitors.
A clip of Halligan’s remarks was shared on X by journalist Aaron Rupar.
In her August 12 letter, Halligan said the first phase of the review would focus on the National Museum of American History, National Museum of Natural History, National Museum of African American History and Culture, National Museum of the American Indian, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian American Art Museum, National Portrait Gallery, and Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. A second phase could include additional museums.
The Smithsonian responded in a statement to Newsweek: “The Smithsonian’s work is grounded in a deep commitment to scholarly excellence, rigorous research, and the accurate, factual presentation of history. We are reviewing the letter with this commitment in mind and will continue to collaborate constructively with the White House, Congress, and our governing Board of Regents.”
Mary Trump, the president’s estranged niece, recently criticized his pressure on the Smithsonian as an example of what she calls a “unique threat” to the country. The removal of an exhibition covering Trump’s two impeachments from the National Museum of American History has already sparked controversy.
What Happens Next?
It is unclear what changes, if any, the Smithsonian will make in response to the White House review, or how the broader academic and cultural communities will react.
