Smithsonian Director Testifies Before House Committee

The director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History defended her institution's work before a congressional panel on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, amid a sustained effort by the White House and Republican lawmakers to reshape the narrative presented by the federally funded museum. Anthea Hartig faced pointed questioning from members of the House Oversight Committee's Delivering on Government Efficiency subcommittee, who cited a recent White House report accusing the museum of promoting a radical, divisive view of American history.

The hearing marked the first public congressional grilling of a top Smithsonian leader since President Donald Trump signed an executive order on March 27, 2025, titled "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History." The order directs Vice President JD Vance to oversee the removal of what it calls "improper ideology" from Smithsonian institutions. A 162-page report released by the White House Domestic Policy Council on July 4 argued the museum had strayed from its mission and become a political instrument.

Republican lawmakers focused on specific exhibits and educational materials. They repeatedly pressed Hartig on a resource known as the...