Ohio Republican Presses Smithsonian Museum Director on Removal of ‘American History’ from Mission Statement

Rep. Mike Carey of Ohio confronted leadership at the Smithsonian Institution during a House Administration Committee hearing Wednesday, seeking clarification on why the National Museum of American History had eliminated references to “American history” from its official mission statement. Carey directed his inquiry toward Anthea Hartig, the museum’s administrator, asking her to explain the rationale behind the linguistic shift.

The questioning reflects a broader Republican effort in Congress to position the preservation of American heritage as central to debates over national identity and cultural values. Conservative lawmakers have increasingly challenged what they view as efforts to reframe the nation’s history in ways that emphasize its failures and contradictions rather than its founding ideals and achievements.

Progressive scholars and museum officials, including Hartig, have contended that a comprehensive historical narrative must include examination of slavery, oppression, and other darker chapters of the American past. This perspective stands in contrast to conservative arguments that the principles outlined in foundational documents like the Declaration of Independence represent the true American character, transcending historical shortcomings.

The Trump administration’s recently released report titled “Saving America’s Story” specifically highlighted the museum’s mission statement revision and named Hartig by name, describing the shift as evidence of activism superseding historical scholarship. The report quoted Hartig from a 2024 presentation to history students in which she stated the challenge of moving beyond an “America First mentality.”

Hartig defended her leadership before the committee Wednesday, asserting that the museum maintains political neutrality while documenting the full spectrum of American life. She explained that reframing historical narratives means incorporating previously excluded evidence and voices rather than erasing existing accounts, and stressed that examining difficult historical periods does not constitute hostility toward the nation.

Carey remained skeptical of her explanation, invoking a George Orwell quote about destroying people through obliteration of historical understanding. When pressed directly on why “American history” should be removed from the museum’s name, Hartig did not provide an immediate response due to time constraints.