The Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History is the latest to face criticism. This backlash came on the heels of the removal of a display that celebrated the impeachments of former President Donald Trump. This unfortunate outcome has fueled ongoing debates about what kind of political pressure may be affecting its exhibitions. Contrary to the museum’s claim, the museum’s parent organization, the Smithsonian Institution, insists that the removal was not politically motivated.
Donald Trump now records the further distinction of having been impeached twice while serving his first term in office. The House of Representatives impeached him first in December 2019 and then a second time in January 2021. In each case, the Senate did not convict him, thus stopping his removal from office. Now Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton were just as impeached as Trump is today, even the impeachment of Trump.
This is why the Smithsonian Institution’s message was so unequivocal. “The only administration or government officials who asked us to take down material from the exhibit were …The organization stressed that the decision to remove the display came only after an extensive review of its content. They realized that the placard didn’t fit well with the other exhibit section and obstructed the view of artifacts.
The Smithsonian’s decision has led to speculation about political influence, especially considering Trump’s executive order issued in March. This order required the removal of any so-called “improper ideology” from any Smithsonian holdings. It further threatened to defund any exhibits that “would promote any anti-American sentiment” or “serve to incite violence or division between different races or ethnic groups.”
Chuck Schumer weighed in on the matter, stating, “You can run, but you cannot hide from the judgment of history.” He emphasized the importance of remembering Trump’s impeachment, asserting, “So, here’s my message to the president: no matter what exhibits you try to distort, the American people will never forget that you were impeached – not once, but twice.”
Historically, only three presidents have faced serious removal efforts: Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton, and Donald Trump. The scrutiny of Trump’s presidency echoes past controversies, with Richard Nixon’s near-certain impeachment in 1974 being a notable example, primarily due to the Watergate scandal.
The Smithsonian Institution intends to represent all impeachment proceedings that have taken place in U.S. history. The recent arrests and subsequent changes at the museum serve to underline these ongoing tensions in the conflict over political narratives and institutional autonomy. As the fight continues around how we teach and understand this complex history, the stakes for our collective public memory and education are incredibly high.
