News from Civsy, based on generative AI tools and retrieval-augumented real time data searchKevin Young, the director of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC), took 14th March a leave of absence for an “undetermined period” amid a politically charged atmosphere surrounding the Smithsonian Institution. Young, a celebrated poet and cultural leader, has been at the helm of NMAAHC since 2021, guiding the museum in its mission to address racial history, celebrate Black culture, and foster dialogue on race in America. His departure coincides with the issuance of a controversial executive order by former President Donald Trump, which directly targets the Smithsonian and its approach to historical narratives.
The Executive Order: "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History”
On March 27, 2025, Trump signed an executive order titled "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History," which seeks to reshape how federally funded cultural institutions like the Smithsonian present U.S. history. The order accuses the Smithsonian of promoting "anti-American ideology" and advancing divisive narratives that focus on systemic racism and other forms of oppression. Trump’s directive frames these narratives as undermining shared national values and fostering societal division.
Degrading American Values
The executive order outlines several sweeping measures. It conditions federal funding for Smithsonian programs on compliance with guidelines that prohibit content perceived as degrading American values or promoting ideologies inconsistent with federal law. Vice President J.D. Vance has been tasked with overseeing these changes, including reviewing exhibits, appointing board members aligned with the administration’s vision, and eliminating what the order describes as "improper ideology" from Smithsonian institutions. The directive also calls for restoring federal monuments altered in recent years and criticizes specific museums, including NMAAHC, for allegedly portraying American values as oppressive.
Critics argue that the order represents an attempt to sanitize U.S. history by downplaying systemic racism and other uncomfortable truths. Historians and civil rights advocates have condemned it as an attack on intellectual freedom and an effort to rewrite history to align with conservative ideologies [1][2][5][7].
Kevin Young’s Departure Amid Political Scrutiny
Young’s leave began on March 14, just weeks before Trump issued his executive order. While no official connection between his departure and the political developments has been confirmed, the timing has raised questions about whether external pressures influenced his decision. During his tenure, Young was instrumental in modernizing NMAAHC’s digital presence and expanding its historical offerings through initiatives like the “Searchable Museum” platform [1][2][9].
NMAAHC has been a focal point in Trump’s critique of the Smithsonian. The museum’s exhibitions on slavery, segregation, and civil rights have drawn praise for their unflinching portrayal of systemic racism but have also made it a target for those who view such narratives as divisive. The executive order specifically criticizes NMAAHC for allegedly promoting a race-focused ideology that undermines America’s founding principles [5][7][9].
In Young’s absence, Shanita Brackett, the museum’s associate director of operations, has been appointed acting director. However, his departure leaves uncertainty about how the museum will navigate this politically charged period [1][9].
Broader Implications for the Smithsonian
The executive order pose significant challenges not only for NMAAHC but for the entire Smithsonian Institution. With federal funding constituting nearly two-thirds of its $1 billion annual budget, compliance with Trump’s directive could have far-reaching consequences for its operations. Critics warn that these measures threaten to erode the independence of one of America’s most important cultural institutions [3][5][11].
The Smithsonian has long been a space for exploring complex aspects of U.S. history through its 21 museums and research centres. However, Trump’s directive appears aimed at curtailing these efforts by imposing ideological constraints on how history is presented. Civil rights advocates argue that this approach risks erasing critical aspects of America’s past while perpetuating historical revisionism [5][7][12].
Growing tensions
Kevin Young’s departure from NMAAHC highlights the growing tensions between cultural institutions committed to truth-telling and political forces seeking to control historical narratives. Trump’s executive order represents a direct challenge to the Smithsonian’s mission to preserve and present an honest account of American history. As debates over historical representation continue to intensify, institutions like NMAAHC find themselves at the center of a broader struggle over whose stories are told—and how.
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