Trump Administration Threatens Smithsonian Support Over Leadership Dispute

President Donald Trump’s administration has threatened to withdraw federal agency support for the Smithsonian Institution, escalating its dispute with the prominent U.S. museum and research organization.

In a letter to the Smithsonian’s governing board, U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and White House Domestic Policy Council Director Vince Haley said federal agencies could no longer justify supporting the institution under its current leadership.

The letter said agencies could reconsider assistance such as lending artifacts for exhibitions, facilitating procurement and providing discretionary grants.

The warning follows earlier threats by the Trump administration to reduce federal funding for the Smithsonian. Trump has criticized the institution’s presentation of American history, including what he described as an excessive emphasis on the negative aspects of slavery.

The Smithsonian operates 21 museums and galleries as well as the National Zoo, making it one of the country’s most important institutions for preserving and presenting U.S. history and culture. The organization did not immediately comment on the latest letter.

Historians and civil rights advocates have criticized the administration’s pressure campaign, arguing that efforts to reshape Smithsonian exhibitions could weaken public understanding of significant and difficult periods in American history.

Trump has also ordered signs to be placed outside the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History reflecting his administration’s criticism of the museum. His administration launched a review of several Smithsonian museums last year.

Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch previously rejected a White House report that accused the National Museum of American History of “thinly veiled anti-Americanism” and “extreme political activism,” calling the characterization unfair.

The letter, dated Friday and first reported by The Atlantic, also alleged that Smithsonian diversity practices may have violated anti-discrimination laws. Administration officials requested a meeting with Smithsonian leaders to discuss their concerns.

Trump has moved broadly to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives across the federal government and private sector, arguing that some programs discriminate against white people and men.

Civil rights groups have opposed the crackdown, saying diversity initiatives are intended to address longstanding inequalities affecting ethnic minorities, women and the LGBT community.