ATLANTA, GEORGIA – President Donald Trump recently issued an order accusing the Smithsonian Institution of misrepresenting American history and called for a reassessment. The order highlights the Declaration of Independence’s statement that “all men are created equal” but omits the mention of slavery being enshrined in the U.S. Constitution, including enslaved persons being counted as three-fifths of a person for the Census. Critics, including civil rights advocates and historians, have denounced Trump’s order, titled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History,” as an attempt to downplay the significant impact of race, racism, and the contributions of Black Americans in shaping the nation’s narrative.
Historian Clarissa Myrick-Harris of Morehouse College in Atlanta expressed concerns that there is a trend towards denying the existence of slavery, Jim Crow laws, segregation, and racial violence against Black communities in the U.S. The executive order singles out the National Museum of African American History and Culture, accusing the Smithsonian of engaging in a widespread effort to rewrite the country’s history to portray it as inherently racist and divisive. The order empowers Vice President JD Vance to review programs and presentations at Smithsonian properties to ensure they align with “shared American values” and do not promote division based on race.
President Trump’s directive also tasks Interior Secretary Doug Burgum with examining monuments removed or altered since January 2020 to determine if they perpetuate a false narrative of American history or diminish the importance of certain events or figures. Critics argue that the order is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to undermine the recognition of Black Americans’ contributions to the nation and to overlook the historical challenges they have faced. Renowned race historian and author Ibram X. Kendi described the order as a direct attack on Black America and criticized the administration’s attempts to distort the national narrative for racist purposes.
The African American museum, one of the Smithsonian’s 21 entities, was inaugurated in 2016 during President Barack Obama’s term and aims to provide a comprehensive account of the contributions and struggles of Black Americans throughout history. Former NAACP President Ben Jealous emphasized the importance of museums that focus on minority and marginalized groups, highlighting the need to tell a more inclusive and accurate portrayal of the country’s history. President Trump, in a contradictory move, previously praised the African American museum during a visit in 2017, acknowledging the vital role it plays in honoring the heritage of African Americans.
Trump’s presidency has been marked by heightened attacks on what he terms as “woke” culture and diversity initiatives, particularly focusing on efforts to address systemic racism. The administration’s actions, including banning diversity programs and investigations into alleged discrimination in college admissions, have raised concerns among civil rights advocates and historians about the erasure of important narratives in American history. The ongoing efforts to minimize the recognition of Black Americans’ struggles and achievements exemplify a larger pattern of attempting to shape the historical narrative to fit a divisive agenda.