Trump Administration Accused of Trying to Erase History as Smithsonian Museum Removes Impeachment Label

In a move that has sparked widespread criticism, the Smithsonian’s American History Museum has removed a label from its exhibit that highlighted former President Donald Trump’s historic distinction as the only U.S. president to be impeached twice. The label, which was added in 2021, was taken down in July as part of a “content review” that the museum had agreed to undertake under pressure from the White House, according to a report by The Washington Post.

The removal of the label has been met with outrage from critics, who accuse the Trump administration of attempting to rewrite history and erase the former president’s controversial legacy. “Trump can pretend it didn’t happen all he wants, but the facts don’t lie — he was impeached twice,” said Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Wisc., who was a member of Congress during Trump’s presidency. “I know. I was there.”

This is not the first time that the Trump administration has clashed with the Smithsonian Institution this year. In March, Trump signed Executive Order 14253, which aimed to shape how the story of American history is told. The order claimed that the Smithsonian had come under the influence of a “divisive, race-centered ideology” and sought to “remove improper ideology from such properties.” Critics argue that the order is an attempt to censor and manipulate the narrative of American history, and that the removal of the impeachment label is just the latest example of this effort.

The controversy has raised questions about the role of museums and cultural institutions in preserving and presenting historical facts, and the extent to which they should be subject to political pressure and influence. “Museums have a responsibility to tell the truth and preserve history, not to erase it or distort it for political gain,” said a spokesperson for the American Historical Association. “The removal of this label is a disturbing example of the politicization of history and the erosion of trust in our cultural institutions.”

The Smithsonian Institution has not commented publicly on the removal of the label, citing its policy of not discussing internal decisions or controversies. However, the incident has sparked a wider debate about the importance of preserving historical accuracy and the dangers of attempts to manipulate or erase the past for political purposes. As one historian noted, “History is not a partisan issue, and it’s not something that can be rewritten or erased to suit the interests of a particular individual or ideology. The facts are the facts, and they should be presented honestly and accurately, without fear or favor.”