President Donald Trump's effort to root out what his administration calls "woke" ideology at the Smithsonian has grown into one of the most extensive White House reviews of the institution in decades.The Smithsonian oversees 21 museums, the National Zoo and nearly 157 million objects and specimens while receiving more than $1 billion annually in federal funding outside of private-side dollars.The administration's campaign has placed the taxpayer-supported institution at the center of a broader debate over patriotism, historical interpretation and the role of federally funded cultural institutions amid a growing divide over how people view and retell America's story.GOP LAWMAKER DEMANDS ANSWERS AFTER SMITHSONIAN CHIEF URGED MOVING BEYOND 'AMERICA FIRST MENTALITY'President Donald Trump has made reshaping the Smithsonian a priority of his broader campaign to eliminate what his administration calls "woke" ideology from federally supported institutions.(Bloomberg via Getty Images)Over the past 16 months, the administration has examined museum exhibits, educational programming, internal records and leadership statements, issued multiple document requests, interviewed curators and conducted on-site museum walkthroughs.The effort culminated in a 162-page White House report recommending sweeping reforms and announcing new executive actions aimed at implementing those recommendations.Here's a timeline of the major developments.Trump signed an executive order titled "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History" two months into his second term.
The order argues that federal cultural institutions, including the Smithsonian, have promoted "divisive" ideological narratives.The executive action directs the Trump administration to restore what it describes as a more patriotic presentation of American history.And it tasks the White House Domestic Policy Council and Vice President JD Vance, in his role as a Smithsonian Regent, with reviewing Smithsonian exhibits and programs.Foll...