First to ABC: House Dems urge JD Vance to preserve Smithsonian independence

(WASHINGTON) -- House Democrats are demanding the White House preserve the independence of the Smithsonian Institution after President Donald Trump signed an executive order in late March that directed federal agencies and the Smithsonian to eliminate what the order calls "anti-American" and "improper" content from the vast network of museums and national parks.

The top Democrat of the House Administration Committee, Rep. Joe Morelle, and other Democrats who have oversight of the Smithsonian Institution sent a letter, first obtained by ABC News, to Vice President JD Vance, who serves as a member of the Smithsonian's Board of Regents.

"We urge you to reject any effort to effectuate the goals of the Proclamation and to preserve the 175-year tradition of curatorial independence that has come to define the Smithsonian Institution," the lawmakers wrote, raising concerns over Trump's order.

The order, entitled "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History," directs Vance to eliminate what it claims are "improper ideology" from all areas of the institution, which consists of 21 museums, 14 education and research centers and the National Zoo in Washington, D.C.

"Unfortunately, we now stand at the brink of seeing the Smithsonian at its worst: shaped solely by the views and ideology of one individual as a means of expanding his political power," the letter states.

The letter is the latest effort by Democrats to push back on one of several actions taken by the White House to roll back diversity, equity and inclusion efforts across the federal government.

The order also directs Vance and Secretary of Interior Doug Burgum to restore federal parks, monuments, memorials and statues "that have been improperly removed or changed in the last five years to perpetuate a false revision of history or improperly minimize or disparage certain historical figures or events."

"If this Proclamation were to be implemented, the Smithsonian's curatorial independence and excellence would be eliminated, and 175 years of this tradition would end," the lawmakers warn.

Trump, in the order, singled out the National Museum of African American History and Culture which he said perpetuated "race-centered" and "divisive" ideas.

"This flagrant attempt to erase Black history is unacceptable and must be stopped. The attempt to paper over elements of American history is both cowardly and unpatriotic," the letter states.

The Smithsonian Institution was first established by Congress with funding from British scientist James Smithson.

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