Our commitment is unwavering

A presidential Executive Order issued March 27 targets funding for programs that advance “divisive narratives” and “improper ideology,” the latest step in a broadside against culture the administration deems too liberal. The order puts Vice President JD Vance, who serves on the Smithsonian Institution’s Board of Regents, in charge of overseeing efforts to “remove improper ideology” from all areas of the institution, including its museums, education and research centers, and the National Zoo.

Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch responds:

The Star-Spangled Banner, the flag that inspired our national anthem

As an Institution, our commitment to scholarship and research is unwavering and will always serve as the guiding light for our content. Late yesterday, the White House issued a presidential Executive Order (EO) related to cultural institutions including the Smithsonian. The EO directs Vice President Vance, in his role as an ex-officio Smithsonian Regent, to work with our Board of Regents on issues related to content.

We remain steadfast in our mission to bring history, science, education, research, and the arts to all Americans. We will continue to showcase world-class exhibits, collections, and objects, rooted in expertise and accuracy. We will continue to employ our internal review processes which keep us accountable to the public. When we err, we adjust, pivot, and learn as needed. As always, our work will be shaped by the best scholarship, free of partisanship, to help the American public better understand our nation’s history, challenges, and triumphs.

As we have done throughout our history, the Smithsonian will work with the Board of Regents, including the Chief Justice, Vice President, and our congressional and citizen Regents. The Smithsonian is fortunate to have a dedicated board that understands and appreciates the Institution’s mission, as well as the importance of scholarship, expertise, and service to the American public.

For more than 175 years, the Smithsonian has been an educational institution devoted to continuous learning with the public in mind and driven by our most important mission – the increase and diffusion of knowledge. We remain committed to telling the multi-faceted stories of this country’s extraordinary heritage. Thank you for all you do to carry our mission forward. I remain honored to be your colleague and in awe of your daily service to our nation.

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