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House Administration chair accuses Smithsonian National Museum of American History of political activism
Summary
The chair of the House Administration Committee opened a hearing charging that the Smithsonian National Museum of American History has "shifted its focus to political activism," quoted a Domestic Policy Council report, and introduced Dr. Anthony Hartig, the museum's director, to respond.
The chair of the House Administration Committee opened the hearing by accusing the Smithsonian National Museum of American History of departing from its founding mission and ‘‘shifting its focus to political activism,’’ saying it is "unacceptable that American tax dollars are supporting divisive work."
The committee chair framed the dispute as a matter of mission and patriotism. He recounted that Congress established the museum and noted that at the museum’s 1964 dedication then‑President Lyndon B. Johnson said the institution "would foster patriotism." The chair quoted a Domestic Policy Council report that, he said, concluded "the exhibits in this museum were prepared by people who don't want you to love our country."
The chair also singled out the museum's director, introducing "our witness, Dr. Anthony Hartig," and said he had previously described history as "a prime tool of social justice" and tied research and scholarship to advocacy. "You believe your role as a historian is to connect, research and scholarship to activism and advocacy," the chair said, attributing the phrase to Hartig. The chair argued that those approaches have been incorporated into exhibits and online content in ways that, he said, "denigrate our founders, diminish our achievements, and seek to divide American people."
While the opening statement emphasized celebration of national achievements, the chair acknowledged that historical inquiry requires "introspection and honesty," adding that that work should be balanced with "gratitude, appreciation, and celebration of how revolutionary the American experience has been." He closed by saying the focus of the day's hearing would be whether the museum has departed from a mission of fostering patriotism and invited Dr. Hartig to respond.
The committee did not take a vote during the opening remarks. The hearing record provided no immediate response from Dr. Hartig in these segments; his testimony or answers are expected later in the proceeding.
