Trump Orders Warning Signs Outside Smithsonian Museum Over ‘Anti-American’ Exhibits

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday directing federal officials to install temporary signs outside the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, escalating his administration’s campaign against what it calls biased portrayals of U.S. history.

The order follows a White House Domestic Policy Council report that accused the museum of promoting "thinly veiled anti-Americanism" and "extreme political activism." Trump said the signs, to be placed on sidewalks maintained by the National Park Service, would provide visitors with what his administration considers accurate historical context in response to information presented inside the museum.

Although the National Park Service falls under the Department of the Interior, the Smithsonian Institution operates independently. Trump argued in the executive order that the current leadership of both the Smithsonian and the National Museum of American History "cannot be trusted to tell America’s story with honesty and gratitude."

The White House report, released on July 4, recommended posting a notice at the museum’s entrance stating that the exhibits were created by individuals who "don’t want you to love your country."

Museum director Anthea Hartig and Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch have rejected the report’s conclusions. During testimony before a House oversight subcommittee this week, Hartig said the museum’s mission is to inspire patriotism through education rather than instruction.

The Organization of American Historians, the nation’s largest association of U.S. history scholars, also criticized the 162-page White House report, arguing that it misrepresented the museum’s work. The Smithsonian declined to comment on Trump’s latest executive order.

The directive is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to reshape how American history is presented at federally supported institutions. Previous actions have included dismantling slavery-related exhibits, restoring Confederate monuments, and reviewing museum programs that the administration says promote "anti-American ideology."

Civil rights organizations and historians argue these measures risk minimizing important chapters of U.S. history and reversing decades of progress in historical interpretation.

The Smithsonian Institution remains one of the world's largest museum and research networks, operating 21 museums and galleries, along with the National Zoo, and serving as a leading destination for American history, culture, science, and education.