Trump targets 'anti-American ideology' at Smithsonian museums

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order targeting the Smithsonian Institution, which operates more than 20 museums and research centres visited by millions yearly in Washington DC and New York City. The order directs Vice-President JD Vance, who became a member of the Smithsonian Board of Regents due to his position in government, to lead the purge to "eliminate improper, divisive, or anti-American ideology" from the institute's museums, centres and the National Zoo in Washington (Max Matza, 'Trump targets 'anti-American ideology' at Smithsonian museums' BBC News 27 Mar 2025). The executive order also directs the interior secretary to restore federal properties, including parks, memorials and statues, which "have been improperly removed or changed in the last five years to perpetuate a false revision of history". The move is part of Trump's effort to shape American culture, in addition to politics. Trump has set out to radically reshape American culture, which he says has been contaminated by "woke" left-wing ideology. He has already signed several orders that are intended to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programmes from the federal government - some of which have led to legal challenges.