How the Smithsonian Could Fall

The Trump administration is putting pressure on the Smithsonian Institution, the world's largest museum complex. The White House says the Smithsonian's museums tell American history in a way that is too negative and not patriotic enough. But taking control of the Smithsonian is not easy, because the institution has a very unusual legal status. This makes it different from most other government agencies and harder to control.

The Smithsonian is made up of 21 museums, a zoo, and 14 research centers. It was created by Congress in 1846 after a British scientist named James Smithson left his fortune to the United States. Smithson had never even visited America, but he believed in the country's ideals and wanted to create a place for learning. Today, its museums include famous spots like the National Air and Space Museum and the National Museum of American History.

The White House released a 162-page report on July 4 criticizing the National Museum of American History. The report claimed the museum 'failed to tell America's story' and called its approach too political. This came after a March 2025 executive order from President Trump calling for the removal of 'divisive narratives' from the Smithsonian. The White House has also threatened to hold back money if the institution does not allow a review of its content.

Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III has pushed back against these claims. He told a TV interviewer that 'it's our job to tell an accurate, complex, and truthful history.' Bunch is seen by staff as a calm and steady leader during a difficult time. He added that it 'scares' him when people are not willing to face history honestly.

The Smithsonian is hard to control because of its unusual legal setup. Legal experts describe it as a 'quasi-government' institution, meaning it is not fully a government agency but not fully private either. Sometimes courts have ruled it is a government agency, and other times they have ruled it is not. This confusing status makes it difficult for the White House to use its normal tools to take over the institution.

The Smithsonian is run by a board of regents made up of 17 members. This group includes the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Vice President, members of Congress, and nine regular citizens. The White House would like to place loyal supporters in the citizen seats, but it cannot do so directly. Citizen regents are chosen by the full board and approved by Congress, so the president does not have full control.

Several citizen regent seats are now empty because terms ended and no replacements have been named. Vice President Vance has reportedly been delaying new nominees to Congress until candidates match Trump's goals. Three more regent terms will expire this fall, which could leave even more seats open. Some experts worry this is a slow effort to gain influence over the Smithsonian from the inside.

Legal experts say a recent Supreme Court ruling probably does not give Trump the power to fire the Smithsonian's secretary. Stanford Law professor Anne Joseph O'Connell said the ruling only applies to officials who report directly to the president and exercise executive power. The Smithsonian's leader does not fit that description. The institution's unique legal structure acts as a kind of shield.

The Smithsonian's biggest weakness is its funding. About 62 percent of its money comes from the federal government, which pays for basic operations like keeping the lights on and preserving collections. The White House has tried to attach conditions to this funding, saying it should only be used in ways that follow Trump's executive orders. Experts say holding up funding for political reasons is likely illegal, but they warn that good-faith norms can be broken.

If the government cut off funding, Smithsonian museums could be forced to close. This happened during a government shutdown last year, when the museums were closed for more than a month. The Smithsonian has its own private endowment, but it is not large enough to replace all federal money. As one expert put it, no political leader has ever won points by keeping children away from rocket ships.