The director of the National Museum of American History is set to defend her institution against accusations of political activism during a Tuesday hearing before the House Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency.
Anthea Hartig, a historian who has led the museum since 2019, will appear before lawmakers to answer claims that the Smithsonian Institution has shifted its mission from historical education to left-leaning advocacy. The hearing follows a scathing 162-page White House report released earlier this month, which accused the museum of failing “the basic task of illuminating” American heritage.
The Trump administration report labeled Smithsonian leadership as “extreme” activists, citing Hartig’s own past remarks that she views history as a “prime tool of social justice.” Republicans on the panel, led by Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), are expected to press Hartig on whether that philosophy has led the museum to prioritize political narratives over factual accuracy.
This is not the first time the Smithsonian has faced conservative scrutiny. In recent years, GOP lawmakers have criticized exhibits on topics like slavery, Native American history, and climate change as “revisionist.” The hearing comes amid broader Republican efforts to rein in federal cultural institutions, including proposals to cut funding and reshape boards.
The subcommittee’s focus on “government efficiency” suggests that beyond ideological concerns, members may probe whether the museum’s budget and staffing align with its core mission. The White House report specifically alleged that the NMAH had “abandoned the basic task of illuminating our nation’s history” in favor of “divisive activism.”
Hartig is expected to argue that the museum’s exhibitions reflect rigorous scholarship and that addressing difficult chapters of American history is essential to understanding the nation’s full story. Supporters note that the NMAH has long covered controversial topics, from the Civil War to civil rights, without previous accusations of bias.
The hearing, scheduled for 10 a.m. EDT, is being livestreamed and marks the latest clash between the Trump administration and federal cultural agencies. It also echoes broader tensions over how U.S. history is taught in schools and public institutions, a flashpoint in the ongoing culture wars.
Meanwhile, other federal agencies face similar scrutiny. A recent Senate panel pressed Trump CDC and ASPR nominees on vaccine independence, while the House Budget Panel advanced a slimmed-down reconciliation package. The administration has also targeted the Department of Health and Human Services, with an HHS watchdog reporting $5.56 billion in fraud recoveries.
For the Smithsonian, the outcome of Tuesday’s hearing could have lasting implications. If Republicans find Hartig’s testimony unconvincing, they may push for funding cuts or personnel changes at the museum, a move that would likely ignite a fierce debate over the role of history in public life.
