The White House is ordering a wide-ranging review of the Smithsonian museums and exhibitions ahead of the country’s 250th birthday with a goal of aligning the institution’s content with President Donald Trump’s interpretation of American history. In a letter sent Tuesday to Smithsonian Institution Secretary Lonnie Bunch III, the White House laid out in detail the steps it expects the organization to take as part of the announced review. The examination will look at all public-facing content, such as social media, exhibition text and educational materials, to “assess tone, historical framing, and alignment with American ideals,” according to the letter. “This initiative aims to ensure alignment with the President’s directive to celebrate American exceptionalism, remove divisive or partisan narratives, and restore confidence in our shared cultural institutions,” the letter said. (…) Civil rights leaders have criticized the administration’s particular focus on the National Museum of African American History and Culture as efforts to minimize Black Americans’ contributions to the country and to recast the obstacles they faced throughout history.
via ap: White House orders a review of exhibits at Smithsonian museums ahead of nation’s 250th birthday