Smithsonian Director Anthea Hartig Confronted in Congressional Hearing

A White House Domestic Policy Council report released on July 4 accused the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History of “radical activist ideology,” “thinly veiled anti‑Americanism” and “extreme political activism.” Director Anthea Hartig testified before a House Oversight subcommittee, rejecting the 162‑page report and asserting that the museum “does not take sides in America’s political debates” and that it strives to add diverse voices to the national story. She said, “As we continue to fact‑check the report, we unwaveringly attest that it does not fairly or accurately characterize the full body of work at the museum.”

Republican members, including Rep. Tim Burchett, Rep. Brandon Gill and Rep. Nancy Mace, pressed Hartig on specific exhibits – ranging from a display linking Mickey Mouse to historic blackface minstrelsy, to a “Girlhood” show featuring gender‑identity content, to items described as sexually explicit. Hartig responded that the museum’s role is to present historically accurate scholarship, not to “instruct” patriotism, noting that “patriotism is not instructed but inspired.” She emphasized that “there is always room for improvement” while defending the museum’s mission to reflect a broad spectrum of American experiences.

The hearing underscores an ongoing political battle over how federal cultural institutions present U.S. history and culture, with the White House seeking more “unified” narratives and museum officials defending scholarly independence.