Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History Faces Criticism Over Activist Focus, Scholar Says

A museum professional and historian has leveled sharp criticism at the Smithsonian Institution, contending that the National Museum of American History has shifted away from its core educational purpose toward political activism. Dr. Jody Edward Ginn, speaking with Fox News Digital, characterized his first visit to the Washington institution in more than a decade as revealing a fundamentally transformed institution that no longer functions as a scholarly venue.

Ginn’s visit came in response to a Domestic Policy Council report from the Trump administration that accused the Smithsonian and the National Museum of American History of failing to present American history in ways that unite rather than divide the nation. The Texas-based historian traveled to the museum to assess the allegations firsthand and said his observations confirmed concerns about the institution’s direction.

Walking through the exhibits, Ginn found that the museum now actively encourages visitors toward specific political positions rather than presenting information that would enable independent judgment. He argued that curators have transformed what were once educational institutions into platforms designed to promote activism, a practice he described as effectively indoctrinating visitors rather than educating them.

Beyond the ideological focus, Ginn identified what he characterized as factually incorrect information in certain displays and took particular issue with sexually explicit content he found inappropriate for a family-oriented institution. He noted the shift represents a departure from professional standards that prevailed just years earlier and called the material “out of sync” with longstanding museum practices.

Ginn’s concerns align with questions raised by congressional lawmakers during a recent House hearing with National Museum of American History Director Anthea Hartig. Representatives pressed Hartig about an exhibit titled “Illegal to Be You: Gay History Beyond Stonewall,” which included a bondage harness and other sexually explicit imagery.

The scholar also highlighted the 2017 MASS Action Toolkit, a professional guide that described objectivity as characteristic of “white supremacy culture” while referencing the Ferguson police shooting and Black Lives Matter movement. This document, in his view, exemplifies the institution’s pivot toward activism over scholarship.

Ginn expressed frustration with Hartig’s testimony before Congress, in which the director maintained the museum remains unbiased despite evidence suggesting otherwise. He noted that the museum’s revised mission statement, which removed explicit reference to “American history,” further demonstrates the intentional repositioning of the institution’s purpose.

The historian characterized what he observed as symptomatic of a broader transformation within the museum profession nationwide, with the Smithsonian serving as the most visible example. Ginn stated his belief that the institution’s true mission should center on educating the public through scholarly research and objective presentation of historical facts.

Looking forward, Ginn expressed pessimism about the institution’s capacity to reverse course without substantial personnel changes and a commitment to reestablishing scholarly standards. He contended that current staff would need to be replaced with individuals dedicated to historical accuracy and depoliticized educational programming to restore the museum’s foundational mission.