The Smithsonian Institution, particularly the National Museum of American History (NMAH ) and related exhibits, has been accused of downplaying or negatively reframing aspects of American history in favor of a more critical, race- and social-justice-focused narrative.
Dr. Jody Edward Ginn, a historian and museum professional, made his first visit in a decade and was troubled by what he found.
According to Fox News, after reading the administration’s Domestic Policy Council report accusing the Smithsonian and the NMAH of failing to present history “in a way that is inspiring, unifying, and worthy of our great republic,” he decided to travel from Texas to see for himself. He said he found it to be “a completely different place than when I was there in 2012.”
“Its mission is clearly exactly what they changed it to be. It is a museum for activism. They use history, but that’s kind of the problem. You know, scholars of history, and I don’t consider these folks scholars anymore. They’re activists.”
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“From the moment I walked in, it’s a very different experience,” Ginn said. “Now, I wasn’t totally shocked by this because I’ve been watching this evolution in my field for over a decade.”
As he made his way through the exhibits, Ginn said the institution seeks to “specifically direct” visitors “to action” rather than give them the information to “make their own decisions.”
“It became this goal, their own stated goal, to turn museums from institutions of education, of public education, into institutions to encourage activism, which could also be said to indoctrinate.”
Ginn also noted that he found “factually incorrect information” and, in some exhibits, what the institution left out was just as misleading.
“The biggest problem is in what they leave out.”
NMAH’s shift toward wokeness and activism has been a hot topic in DC. During a House Oversight hearing, Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX) grilled NMAH’s Director, Dr. Anthea Hartig, over the institution’s anti-white agenda and efforts to rewrite American history.
One component is the “mass action” toolkit being promoted that characterizes so many cultural manners and icons as white supremacy. These include the nuclear family, celebrating holidays like Christmas, politeness, objectivity, and even Mickey Mouse.
The White House shared a 162-page report from the Domestic Policy Council, “Saving America’s Story,” that accuses the NMAH of “ideological capture” by a “radical, activist ideology.”
Further, it claims the museum erases or minimizes America’s heritage, downplays the Founders and positive milestones, emphasizes social justice themes, and treats the American story as a tool for division rather than shared national pride. The report was released on the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
In March 2025, President Trump issued the Executive Order “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History” and ordered steps to counter what the administration described as a widespread effort to rewrite U.S. history by casting founding principles and achievements in a negative light (as inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive).
It specifically called out the Smithsonian for promoting “divisive, race-centered ideology.”
The post Historian Visits Smithsonian After a Decade, Finds ‘A Completely Different Place’ That Puts Activism Ahead of History appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
