United StatesThe Trump administration has taken steps to reorient the Smithsonian Institution toward its original mission of preserving U.S. cultural heritage, according to an exclusive report. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum informed the Smithsonian's Board of Regents that the administration is implementing President Donald Trump's executive order titled 'Restoring Trust in the Smithsonian Institution.' This follows a White House review that identified concerns about the Smithsonian promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which the administration claims focus too heavily on issues of oppression rather than American achievements. The White House has also proposed reducing the Smithsonian's federal funding by 11% for fiscal year 2027, marking the lowest level since 2020. Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch III has emphasized that DEI principles must remain central to the institution's work.
Bias read (Conservative): The article frames the Smithsonian's DEI efforts as a 'divisive, ideological agenda' and emphasizes the Trump administration's push to 'restore trust' by curbing these initiatives. It quotes Trump directly criticizing the Smithsonian as being 'out of control' and using terms like 'Woke' and 'broke,'
