Hartig, the director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, appeared before a House Oversight subcommittee on Tuesday to defend the institution against a scathing White House report.
The specific accusation that the museum lacks founding-era content is a central pillar of the administration's critique, though museum officials pointed to recent exhibits as evidence to the contrary.
Michael Cloud of Texas noted that during a recent visit, he found references to the Declaration of Independence challenging to navigate. "I'm not saying it's not there, but it's hard to find," Cloud remarked.
Traditionally, presidents use the budget request as a starting point for negotiation.
The political ramifications are clear: the administration views the anniversary as an opportunity to reset the national narrative and is willing to use all available levers — from public reports to budget withholdings — to ensure the Smithsonian aligns with its vision.
National Museum of American History Director Anthea Hartig defends exhibits against White House accusations of 'woke' ideological activism.