‘Do You Love America?’: Smithsonian Museum Leader Grilled Over Gender, Diversity, Patriotism at Congressional Hearing

Smithsonian National Museum of American History director Anthea Hartig, who has led the museum since 2019, faced pointed questioning at a two-hour congressional hearing in which Representative Tim Burchett asked, “Are you America first? Do you love America?” The hearing followed a July 4 White House report, Saving America’s Story, a 162-page document that accused the Smithsonian of “extreme political activism” and called for major changes, after a federal review of 19 Smithsonian museums initiated in August examined exhibitions for what the administration labeled “anti-American ideology.” Hartig said the Smithsonian was fact-checking the report and disputed its characterization of the museum’s work, while witnesses also included Yale historian David Blight, Hillsdale’s Matthew Spalding, and Heritage Foundation fellow Mike Gonzalez. Representative Melanie Stansbury announced the proposed Smithsonian Integrity and Historical Independence Act, intended to bar federal officials from interfering in the Smithsonian’s historical interpretation and to reaffirm congressional authority over the institution.

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