Trump’s Desire to Control the Smithsonian Institution Extends to Its Board Members
6April 4, 2026
The appointment of new trustees for theSmithsonian Institutionhas been delayed due to Trump’s efforts to intervene at the organization, theNew York Timesreports. The trustees, which at the Smithsonian are among the Board of Regents, are traditionally first approved by Congress and then subsequently signed off on by the president; Trump, however, has indicated that he’s seeking unilateral control over the appointments.
John Fahey and Risa J. Lavizzo-Mourey left the board on March 2, and the two have yet to be replaced. Smithsonian officials declined to comment to theTimes.
Last year, in an executive order, Trump indicated his intent to return the Smithsonian to “its rightful place as a symbol of inspiration and American greatness.” Related Reina Sofía’s Refusal to Loan Picasso’s Guernica Opens Old Political Wounds in Spain Trump’s $400 Million East Wing Ballroom Plans Temporarily Nixed By Judge
“The Smithsonian Institution has, in recent years, come under the influence of a divisive, race-centered ideology,” the order stated. “This shift has promoted narratives that portray American and Western values as inherently harmful and oppressive.”
“The Vice President…shall work to effectuate the policies of this order through his role on the Smithsonian Board of Regents with respect to the Smithsonian Institution and its museums, education and research centers…and shall recommend to the President any additional actions necessary to fully effectuate such policies,” the executive order continued.
Last August, the Trump administration posted an unsigned article on the White House’s website that lambasted certain Smithsonian museums for exhibiting work around topics like trangender identity, race and immigration.
In January of this year, the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery removed a wall plaque adjacent to a portrait of Trump that bore mention of his being impeached two times.
“For some new exhibitions and displays, the museum has been exploring quotes or tombstone labels, which provide only general information, such as the artist’s name,” a National Portrait Gallery spokesperson said in a statement at the time. “The history of Presidential impeachments continues to be represented in our museums, including the National Museum of American History.”