Rep. Hakeem Jeffries Friday slammed President Trump’s government order on the Smithsonian Establishment, which he known as a shameful effort to whitewash American historical past.
The Brooklyn Democrat requested Supreme Court docket Chief Justice John Roberts, a Smithsonian board member, to reject Trump’s March order that purported to revive “truth and sanity to American history” by eradicating traces of “improper ideology” on the preeminent U.S. historical past museum.
“President Trump’s proclamation, which seeks to whitewash our history, is cowardly and unpatriotic. It must fail,” Jeffries, the Home Democratic chief, wrote.
Jeffries accused Trump of particularly concentrating on the Nationwide Museum of African American Historical past and Tradition, apparently for highlighting the enduring legacy of slavery and the civil rights motion that ended authorized segregation within the U.S.
The Nationwide Museum of African American Historical past and Tradition on the Nationwide Mall is seen on Friday, March 28, 2025, in Washington. (AP Picture/Mark Schiefelbein)
“To be clear: Black history is American history,” added Jeffries, who’s touring abroad with a congressional delegation. “It cannot and will not be erased.”
Trump issued the order final month as a part of a flurry of strikes aimed toward rolling again what he calls harmful progressive “woke ideology” and variety, fairness and inclusion efforts in main American establishments.
However Jeffries stated the Smithsonian and the NMAAHC “tell the American story honestly and completely.” He in contrast Trump’s order to efforts by totalitarian regimes to twist historical past to swimsuit their pursuits.
Roberts sits on the Smithsonian Establishment’s Board of Regents and serves as chancellor. He didn’t instantly reply to the message.
Vice President JD Vance was additionally lately named to the Smithsonian board, which holds its subsequent assembly in June.
Trump’s proclamation ordered Vance to push to eliminate reveals and content material at Smithsonian museums that fail to “remind Americans of our extraordinary heritage.”
Initially Revealed: April 25, 2025 at 2:37 PM EDT
