The Smithsonian National Museum of American History has announced it will reinstate information regarding former President Donald Trump's two impeachments to its "The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden" exhibit in the coming weeks. This decision follows a brief removal of the content in July 2025, which garnered significant public and media attention, initially reported by The Washington Post.
The temporary label detailing Trump's impeachments, which had been on display since September 2021, was removed from the "Limits of Presidential Power" section of the exhibit. A Smithsonian spokesperson explained that the placard was intended as a short-term measure to address current events and that the exhibit was reverted to its 2008 appearance as part of a "content review." The museum cited the need to update other sections of the long-standing gallery that had not been revised for years, stating the temporary label "did not meet the museum’s standards in appearance, location, timeline and overall presentation."
The removal sparked immediate controversy, with some reports, citing unnamed sources, suggesting it occurred under pressure from the White House. Critics raised concerns about historical accuracy and potential political influence on the institution tasked with preserving American history. However, the Smithsonian explicitly denied any external pressure, stating its decision was solely based on internal review and the placard's consistency with museum standards. They affirmed their commitment to presenting "accurate and complete histories."
In a subsequent statement, the Smithsonian confirmed that "a future and updated exhibit will include all impeachments," though a specific timeline for this comprehensive overhaul was not provided due to the significant time and funding required for such projects. The swift reversal highlights the intense public and journalistic scrutiny on national cultural institutions and their role in documenting contemporary history. As noted by Karen Tumulty in her tweet, > "Great reporting by the @washingtonpost gets action," underscoring the media's role in public accountability and the institution's responsiveness to public discourse.