The Smithsonian Institution is setting up an internal team to respond to President Donald Trump's demands to curb what the administration calls "woke" and divisive exhibits but stressing its independence during the review.
Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch III sent a letter to staff on Sept. 3 outlining the steps it was taking in response to the administration's push to reshape the nation's marquee cultural and historic institutions.
"Our independence is paramount,” Bunch told staff in the letter, according to the New York Times and the Washington Post.
In August, Trump took to social media to accuse to the Smithsonian of being "out of control" and focusing too much on "how horrible our Country is, how bad Slavery was, and how unaccomplished the downtrodden have been."
The White House announcemed in August that it was reviewing the Smithsonian to ensure it conforms to Trump’s call to “celebrate American exceptionalism, remove divisive or partisan narratives and restore confidence in our shared cultural institutions.”
