WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Department of the Interior sent a letter to the Smithsonian Institution on August 28, 2026. The correspondence threatened to withdraw federal support unless the museum's leadership changed, citing alleged violations of anti-discrimination law and political bias.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and White House Domestic Policy Council Director Vince Haley signed the letter. The document stated that executive departments and agencies "cannot in good conscience continue to support the Smithsonian under current leadership by, for example, loaning artifacts for exhibits, enabling procurement processes and making discretionary grants." The letter also requested an in-person meeting with the Smithsonian Board of Regents.

Bunch had previously defended the institution's independence in a May 2026 interview. "My goal is that history is driven by scholarship, not partisanship," he said. He added, "The Smithsonian always does its own scholarship. It’s always driven by that." President Donald Trump ordered the National Park Service to install temporary signage near the National Museum of American History warning of "inaccurate information" in the exhibits.

More than $1 billion is appropriated to the Smithsonian by Congress each year, and the federal government supplies two-thirds of the Smithsonian Institution's budget.

Why It Matters

The federal government supplies two-thirds of the Smithsonian Institution's budget, creating financial leverage for the administration. More than $1 billion is appropriated to the Smithsonian by Congress each year. The threat to cease loaning artifacts and making discretionary grants targets core operational functions of the museum network. The letter referenced a White House report released in July 2026 that concluded the National Museum of American History had undergone ideological capture. The dispute centers on the governance of the Smithsonian Board of Regents, which includes Chief Justice John Roberts and members of Congress. Two of nine public regents’ terms have expired, and two other spots will open by October 2026. An executive order signed in March 2025 directed Vice President JD Vance to seek appointments aligned with the president's priorities. The outcome will determine whether the institution continues to operate under its current leadership structure or undergoes changes mandated by the executive branch.

Timeline

On May 7, 2020, NOAA issued a request for information to help identify the next geographic region(s) of focus for Aquaculture Opportunity Areas identification. President Donald Trump signed an executive order in March 2025 directing Vice President JD Vance to seek the appointment of public members to the Smithsonian’s Board of Regents aligned with his priorities. Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch stated in a May 2026 interview, "The Smithsonian always does its own scholarship. It’s always driven by that." He also stated in that same month, "My goal is that history is driven by scholarship, not partisanship." The White House Domestic Policy Council released a report on July 4, 2026, characterizing Smithsonian leadership as promoting "extreme political activism." The July 2026 White House report argued that the National Museum of American History "confronts visitors with materials intended to undermine faith in American institutions and the longstanding shared ideals of the American people." It also stated that the Smithsonian "cannot be trusted to tell America’s story honestly and in a way that is inspiring, unifying, and worthy of our great republic." The July 4, 2026 White House Domestic Policy Council report was 162 pages long.

What's New

National Museum of American History Director Andrea Hartig stated at a July 2026 congressional hearing that the White House report "does not fairly or accurately characterize the full body of work at the museum." Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch stated in a May 2026 interview, "The Smithsonian always does its own scholarship. It’s always driven by that." He also said in that interview, "My goal is that history is driven by scholarship, not partisanship." On July 2026, the White House Domestic Policy Council released its 162-page 'Saving America's Story' report, concluding that the National Museum of American History had undergone 'ideological capture' and recommending the removal of what it described as political activism from museum exhibits. President Donald Trump signed an executive order in March 2025 directing Vice President JD Vance to seek the appointment of public members to the Smithsonian’s Board of Regents aligned with his priorities.

Two of nine public regents’ terms on the Smithsonian Board of Regents have expired, and two other spots will open by October 2026. The Executive Office of the President published a presidential document titled "Restoring Trust in the Smithsonian Institution" on 2026-07-29.