By John Q. Hosedrinker 
President Trump issued an executive order targeting the Smithsonian Institution, accusing it of promoting “improper, divisive, or anti-American ideology” and demanding the removal of materials deemed historically inaccurate. Historians widely condemned this action as an attempt to whitewash American history and suppress discussions of race and social justice. The order specifically cites exhibits on race and gender, as well as planned programming, as examples of problematic content. This action is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to control the narrative of American history and suppress diverse perspectives.
Read the original article here
The Smithsonian Institution, a globally renowned museum and research complex, finds itself facing an unprecedented threat: a potential rewrite of US history orchestrated by a Trump administration determined to eradicate what it deems “improper, divisive, or anti-American ideology.” This executive order, framed under the guise of “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History,” has sparked widespread alarm among historians and the public alike. The sheer audacity of this attempt to control the narrative, to dictate the very understanding of the nation’s past, is deeply unsettling.
This isn’t merely a revision of historical interpretations; it’s a blatant attempt to whitewash the complexities of American history, suppressing discussions of systemic racism and social injustices. The scale of this intervention is unprecedented; the executive branch has never directly attacked the Smithsonian in this manner throughout its extensive history. The gravity of the situation is acutely felt by many as a full-scale assault on public history, science, and education.
The parallels drawn to authoritarian regimes are disturbingly apt. Historians have noted striking similarities to the historical revisionism employed by fascist states, such as Nazi Germany, Franco’s Spain, and the Soviet Union. These regimes consistently manipulated historical narratives to support their ideology, erasing dissenting voices and perspectives. The current attempt to impose a sanitized, “Disney-esque” version of American history, devoid of struggle and complexity, echoes this troubling pattern.
The targeted removal of materials deemed “divisive” raises serious concerns about academic freedom and the suppression of critical thought. This isn’t simply about altering textbook content; it’s about silencing uncomfortable truths, suppressing discussions of race and power, and limiting access to diverse interpretations of the past. The order’s impact extends beyond the Smithsonian, threatening the integrity of historical scholarship across the nation. The implication that an exhibit exploring the role of race and power in American sculpture constitutes “divisive ideology” highlights the administration’s intention to suppress the critical examination of power structures. Labeling the study of scientific racism as inherently divisive is a troubling reversal of truth, promoting the very ideology it supposedly seeks to oppose.
The reaction among historians is one of profound dismay and fear. The chilling effect of such an executive order on academic freedom is palpable. Scholars feel their life’s work threatened, their research invalidated, and their very profession undermined by a political agenda that prioritizes a narrow, biased view of the past. The fear isn’t merely hypothetical; it’s grounded in the very real potential for the suppression of knowledge and the silencing of critical voices. The chilling effect on future scholarship is undeniable; what is written now may be deemed improper or un-American at some future time.
Concerns extend beyond the immediate impact on the Smithsonian. This action sets a dangerous precedent, paving the way for potential censorship and historical distortion in other institutions and educational settings. The ramifications are far-reaching, threatening the very fabric of academic freedom and the public’s access to a truthful and nuanced understanding of its history. If the government can dictate the narratives presented in the nation’s most prestigious museum, what prevents it from influencing education and discourse elsewhere?
The use of the word “reminds” in describing the situation is inadequate; it’s not a mere resemblance to fascism; it is actively operating as such. The attempted control of history, the suppression of dissent, the promotion of a biased narrative – these actions are hallmarks of fascist regimes. The administration’s actions have rightly sparked a wave of protests and resistance. There is determination to ensure the survival of a comprehensive and accurate understanding of American history, a history that includes the complexities, contradictions, and struggles that have shaped the nation.
The hope lies in the eventual departure of this administration and the restoration of a more accurate and inclusive understanding of American history. The next generation of historians will have the opportunity to reclaim the narrative, to restore the voices that have been silenced, and to ensure that the past is remembered truthfully. This moment will serve as a stark warning about the fragility of democratic institutions and the importance of actively protecting intellectual freedom and the integrity of historical scholarship. While the current threat is serious, the resilience of the scholarly community and the public’s commitment to historical accuracy offers grounds for optimism in the long term. The resilience of institutions like the Smithsonian and the determination of historians to preserve a truthful and complete record of the past offer hope for a future where history is not dictated by political agendas but accurately reflects the complexities of the American experience.