A New Executive Order Puts Federal Museum Staff in the Crosshairs
federal employment historical accuracy museum staff rights political interference smithsonian review Aug 14, 2025Earlier this year, President Trump signed an executive order titled Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History. Now, the White House has launched a sweeping review of eight major Smithsonian museums, including the National Museum of African American History and the National Museum of American History. Federal employees who curate, research, and educate are being told to ensure exhibits match the administration’s view of history ahead of the nation’s 250th birthday.
Staff have been given just 30 days to submit materials for inspection and 120 days to make mandated changes. The stated goal is to remove “ideological” or “divisive” elements and replace them with narratives emphasizing American exceptionalism.
Political Directives Collide with Professional Standards
This is not a routine update to signage or exhibit lighting. Smithsonian professionals—career civil servants with deep expertise in public history—are facing explicit political instructions about what can and cannot be displayed.
Already, there are visible effects. The National Museum of American History recently removed references to President Trump’s impeachments after quiet White House pressure. Officials labeled it “content alignment,” but multiple insiders report political interference. The resignation of the National Portrait Gallery’s director shortly thereafter has added to concerns that leadership changes may be used to enforce compliance.
For federal employees in these roles, the pressure is twofold: comply with political directives or risk discipline, reassignment, or worse—while also trying to uphold their professional responsibility to present accurate, inclusive history.
Why the Stakes Are So High
The Smithsonian’s mission is to preserve and present our history as it happened—grounded in verifiable facts. When political appointees determine what counts as “truth,” the narratives most at risk are often those of marginalized communities already underrepresented in national storytelling.
Civil rights leaders warn that this review could erase key accounts of Black history, labor movements, Indigenous history, and other crucial threads in the American story. The danger isn’t only about one exhibit or one museum—it’s about setting a precedent that allows any administration to rewrite history to fit its preferred narrative.
For the public, this erodes trust. For the federal employees involved, it creates a daily ethical challenge: how to fulfill the agency mission while navigating politically driven mandates.
Navigating the Crossfire
Federal employees caught in such conflicts should document communications, maintain copies of original materials, and seek confidential legal advice before taking action that could jeopardize their careers. In some cases, whistleblower protections may apply—though they come with procedural requirements and potential risks.
Legal Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. While I am a federal employment attorney, this post does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every situation is unique, and legal outcomes depend on specific facts and circumstances.
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