House Republicans Critique Smithsonian's Focus on Social Issues

WHO:

[NPR] - Anthea Hartig is the director of the National Museum of American History.

[NPR] - Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) is the chair of the House's Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency.

[NPR] - Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) and Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) are members of the subcommittee.

[NPR] - Rep. Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.) is a Democratic member who spoke at the hearing.

[Fortune] - Lonnie G. Bunch III is the secretary of the Smithsonian.

[Fortune] - President Donald Trump is mentioned in relation to the White House report and its implications.

WHAT:

[NPR] - House Republicans criticized the Smithsonian for focusing on "oppressors and the oppressed."

[NPR] - A 162-page report from the White House Domestic Policy Council accused the Smithsonian of being influenced by a radical ideology.

[NPR] - The report claimed the museum underemphasized the Founding Fathers and early American history.

[Fortune] - Hartig stated that the museum does not take sides in political debates and aims to add voices to the national story.

[Fortune] - The museum opened an exhibit titled "In Pursuit of Life, Liberty and Happiness" to celebrate America's 250th anniversary.

WHERE:

[NPR] - The hearing took place in the House of Representatives.

[Fortune] - The National Museum of American History is located on the National Mall.

WHEN:

[NPR] - The hearing was held on a Tuesday.

[NPR] - The White House report was issued on July 4.

[Fortune] - The exhibit "Girlhood (It’s Complicated)" ran from 2020 through 2023.

[Fortune] - Hartig is scheduled to appear in front of the House Administration Committee on a Wednesday.

WHY:

[NPR] - Republicans argue that the Smithsonian's current narrative reflects a "woke ideology" and fails to celebrate American history adequately.

[Fortune] - The White House report claims the museum does not present a unifying narrative of American history.

HOW:

[NPR] - Hartig responded to criticisms by stating that the museum welcomes feedback and strives to represent all Americans.

[Fortune] - Hartig emphasized that reframing a traditional narrative involves adding previously excluded evidence and voices.

(UPDATED July 22, 2026 01:29 UTC)

House Republicans have voiced their criticism of the Smithsonian, claiming it focuses too much on "oppressors and the oppressed," as outlined in a recent 162-page report from the White House Domestic Policy Council. Anthea Hartig, the director of the National Museum of American History, defended the museum's approach, stating it aims to represent all Americans and recently opened an exhibit titled "In Pursuit of Life, Liberty and Happiness" to celebrate America's 250th anniversary. During a hearing in the House of Representatives, Hartig is scheduled to appear before the House Administration Committee to further discuss these issues and the museum's commitment to adding diverse voices to the national narrative.