Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME) at an Event in Portland Several Years Ago.

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Subcommittee, released the following statement in response to the White House’s decision to conduct a review of Smithsonian museum exhibitions, materials and operations ahead of America’s 250th anniversary next year — and its directive to “celebrate American exceptionalistm, remove divisive or partisan narratives and restore confidence in our shared cultural institutions:”

For the President of the United States to suggest that he can dictate the Smithsonian’s curatorial decisions — what it displays, what information it conveys and what stories it should tell — is disturbingly arrogant.  That he chose three acolytes with no relevant experience to lead this ridiculous cultural crusade — including Russell Vought, one of the chief architects of Project 2025 – makes the decision event more alarming and signals that this independent insitution will now be pressured by the President’s political whims.

The Smithsonian is more than a collection of museums.  It’s an American treasure.  It tells the story of our country (and our world) in a way that no book or documenary ever could.  It aims to tell that story truthfully and completely — the good and the bad, the tragedy and triumphant, forever reflecting our nation’s diversity, dynamism and complicated past.  The public can trust the Smithsonian.

But the President isn’t interested in the truth or actual history.  What he wants is propaganda.  He wants the museums to present unity, progress and the enduring values that define the American story, as if he is somehow the sole arbiter of what these words mean, or that they’re the only words that matter in telling that story.  He wants to remove divisive or partisan narratives that go against his narrow and whitewashed idea of what America is, as if struggle, sacrifice and social change weren’t the driving forces behind the very unity, progress and values that he claims to care about.  He wants history without the hard truths —  and a story of America wholy detached from reality.

This is what despots and dictators do.  As Ranking Member of the subcommittee that oversees the Smithsoniab, I will do everyting in my power to ensure he doesn’t get away with it — and that the Smithsonian continues to have the resources and expertise necessary to mainain public trust and fulfill its mission free of political interference from the White House.