Smithsonian too focused on 'oppressors and the oppressed,' say House Republicans
House Republicans held a hearing criticizing the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History for allegedly promoting a 'woke' ideology that focuses on power struggles rather than patriotic history. The museum's director defended the institution's commitment to historical accuracy and integrity.
Why it matters
This reflects the ongoing 'culture war' in the US regarding how national history is curated, taught, and interpreted in public institutions.
In a subcommittee hearing Tuesday, House Republicans sharply questioned the director of the National Museum of American History, Anthea Hartig. The GOP lawmakers' comments closely mirrored Trump administration's criticisms of the institution she leads as insufficiently patriotic.
The hearing was held by the House's Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency, a branch of DOGE that is chaired by Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn).
In his opening remarks, Burchett said: "I feel like [the Smithsonian]'s become infected by a woke ideology that seeped into public displays, educational materials and planning documents. The American story is the birth and growth of a great nation founded on powerful ideals and which we aim to fully achieve. But in the museum's current telling, history is just an ongoing power struggle between oppressors and the oppressed."
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