As the White House accuses the Smithsonian Institution of “ideological capture,” it’s put members of Congress in a tough spot as they weigh what, if anything, they can do.
A 162-page White House report released last weekend singled out the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, saying it “no longer treats the American story as a shared national inheritance to be taught or celebrated, but as a political instrument to divide, dispirit, and discourage our citizens.”
Nevada Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, one of the six members of Congress on the Smithsonian Board of Regents, called the report “disgraceful.”
“I remain committed to ensuring the Smithsonian continues sharing our country’s inspiring story without partisan interference from this President or any other,” she said in a statement.
But many Democrats are wary of wading into a cultural fight as they try to stick to affordability messaging ahead of the midterms.
