Republicans accuse the Smithsonian's American History museum and its director of rewriting the country's narrative.
by MATT GALKA | The National News DeskWASHINGTON, DC - JULY 21: National Museum of American History Director Dr. Anthea Hartig appears during an Oversight and Government Reform subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency hearing on Capitol Hill on July 21, 2026 in Washington, DC.
The hearing titled, "Rewriting American History: Examining the Smithsonian's Efforts to Reshape the Past," is being held as the White House began an investigation into the Smithsonian last year and has recently put out a report alleging political activism. As America celebrated its 250th anniversary on the Fourth of July, a new fight erupted in Washington over how the nation tells its story.
Hartig rejected claims that the museum’s displays were politically motivated, saying the institution documents an evolving country and highlights America’s flaws and triumphs. Republicans in Congress pressed Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History Director Dr. Anthea Hartig to respond to accusations that the institution was revising American history. The congressional hearing followed a July 4 “I feel like it’s been infected by a woke ideology that’s seeped into public displays, educational materials, and planning documents," Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn.
, said during a House Oversight subcommittee hearing grilling Hartig. Hartig rejected claims that the museum’s displays were politically motivated, saying the institution documents an evolving country and highlights America’s flaws and triumphs.
“When historians talk about reframing a traditional narrative, we don’t mean erasing it. We mean adding the evidence, the voices, the objects, that earlier tellings left out so that more Americans can see themselves reflected in the national story,” Hartig said. Republicans on the House Oversight Committee questioned Hartig about exhibits they said focused too heavily on issues such as sexual orientation, diversity and race.
“Do you think it’s appropriate for the Smithsonian Institution to see ‘Latina Power’ paraphernalia? ” asked Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas. Rep.
Nancy Mace, R-S.C. , asked if the exhibits highlighting sexual orientation were fit for children.
“What kind of message are you trying to send to kids with BDSM imagery? What are you trying to tell kids? Are you sexualizing children? ” Democrats on the committee defended the Smithsonian, urging critics to visit the museum and see artifacts such as Thomas Jefferson’s desk used to draft the Declaration of Independence, along with exhibits highlighting George Washington, among others.
Yale University historian David Blight warned about political leaders influencing historical interpretation.
“If we’re not careful, we will create what the great writer Toni Morrison called ‘statist history,’ and it will create what she called sanctioned ignorance,” Blight said. Hartig’s job security was repeatedly questioned during the hearing, and she is set to face another hearing Wednesday before the Committee on House Administration.
What began as a celebration of Rochester Pride at Highland Park ended early Saturday after severe thunderstorms, flash flooding and lightning forced organizers to cancel the remainder of the parade and festival. A 29-year-old man has been charged after sexually assaulting a 90-year-old woman, who later died, according to the Corning Police Department. Police are asking for the public's help identifying a man who suffered a serious head injury after crashing an electric bicycle Monday evening in Newark. Rochester, N.Y.
— Police are asking for help identifying a man in connection with a homicide in the Marketview Heights neighborhood. Rochester Regional Health confirmed Tuesday morning it has found "elevated levels" of Legionella bacteria in portions of the water system serving the St. Mary's Medical Campus.
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