Smithsonian Removes Trump Impeachment Display, Reviews Political Content

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History has removed references to President Trump’s two impeachments from an exhibit called “The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden”. 

The Details: The removal comes as the Smithsonian conducts an internal review of its content for potential “political or partisan influence”, following a directive from its Board of Regents, and previous calls from the Trump administration for a more positive framing of US history. The Smithsonian said in a statement that “a future and updated exhibit will include all impeachments." Smithsonian spokeswoman,  Linda St. Thomas, said Trump's impeachments will be included in the exhibit at the time of the fuller update. Until then, the display has returned to its 2008 appearance.

For Context: A temporary label about Trump’s impeachments were added to the display in 2021, adding to prior information about the impeachments of presidents Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton, and Richard M. Nixon. It was intended to be a “short-term measure” to address “current events” at the time. Trump is the only American president to have been impeached twice–in 2019 and again in 2021. He was acquitted both times after facing trials in the Senate.

How the Media Covered It: The Washington Post (Lean Left bias) first reported the story. It framed the change within broader concerns about political interference at the Smithsonian and how the institution could be shaped by the Trump administration’s efforts to control its work. Washington Examiner (Lean Right) framed the removal as part of a broader cultural shift influenced by conservative criticism of progressive narratives in national institutions. The Hill (Center) highlighted Democratic backlash, quoting multiple statements from lawmakers including Rep. Mark Pocan, Sen. Adam Schiff, and Gov. Gavin Newsom.

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