Smithsonian Institution.
group of museums and research centers administered by the United States government
- Reports this week
- 17
- Active events
- 2
- Connections
- 1,063
What's happening
Active this week
Earlier this month
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Michael Collins' connection to the National Air and Space Museum serves as a historical benchmark for institutional change within the Smithsonian.Some support1 report
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An expedition, involving the Smithsonian Institution, is underway across Africa, gathering specimens and artifacts from various countries including Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.Some support2 reports
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Congress established the Kennedy Center as a memorial, while the Trump administration criticized Smithsonian exhibits and appointed a new board chair.Some support1 report
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Josh Hawley and Laura Ingraham criticized Smithsonian leadership regarding the use of taxpayer resources and American spirit.Some support1 report
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The National Museum of the American Indian, a Smithsonian Institution museum, is facing policy pressure from the White House administration.Some support6 reports
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Chief Justice John Roberts serves on the Smithsonian Institution Board of Regents amid administration criticism and internal review.Some support27 reports1 development inside
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Trump repeatedly attacked the Smithsonian's focus on January 1, 2026, leading to the retirement of the chief and calls for a George Washington exhibition.Some support5 reports2 developments inside
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The Smithsonian Institution is facing scrutiny from Republicans in Congress regarding the collection of Flight 93 incident artifacts, while Donald Trump also questions the exhibits.Some support13 reports
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The Supreme Court blocked a Republican-drawn map in Missouri, while Republican officials also pressured Smithsonian exhibits.Some support1 report1 development inside
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The Trump administration criticized the Smithsonian Institution's historical narrative, with Doug Burgum asserting it advanced an ideological agenda.Some support2 reports
One to three months ago
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Mike Simpson's budget cuts have reduced funding for the Smithsonian Institution, while he also chairs a subcommittee advancing a budget increase.Some support3 reports1 development inside
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Mike Simpson's budget cuts have reduced funding for the Smithsonian Institution, while he also chairs a subcommittee advancing a budget increase.Some support1 report
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The Smithsonian Institution completed a review involving the Domestic Policy Council.Some support1 report3 developments inside
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C-SPAN provided coverage of the Supreme Court and Congress, while noting past employment of Hixon-Day at the Smithsonian and National Trust.Some support2 reports
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A commission is considering a potential affiliation between the National Asian Pacific American Museum and the Smithsonian Institution.Some support1 report
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The US awarded a grant to Centre for Memories in Enugu, Nigeria, leveraging a longstanding US-Nigeria partnership.Some support4 reports
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White House report brands Smithsonian leadership as radical.Well supported6 reports1 development inside
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The Smithsonian Institution and the California Historical Society are collaborating on studies concerning historical scholarship and economic theories applied to regional development in Southern California.Some support2 reports
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The Smithsonian Institution is located in the San Diego area, which includes the neighborhood of La Jolla.Some support1 report
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Researchers from Lincoln University and the Smithsonian Institution studied the ecological risks associated with shipping disruptions.Some support2 reports
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The Smithsonian Institution used its magazine for institutional commentary, contributed to policy documents, and its leadership salaries were reviewed by Fox News.Some support3 reports
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Lal, who previously directed DEI for the National Association of Colleges and Employers, now directs Smithsonian's academic appointments amid Republican scrutiny.Some support2 reports
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Mike Braun's administration changed a land agreement involving the Indiana Historical Society and the Smithsonian Institution.Some support1 report
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Smithsonian Institution operates 21 museums in Washington, DC.Some support1 report
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The Smithsonian Institution is being questioned by Congress regarding institutional policies, using a case study involving Brandon Gill and Mickey Mouse.Well supported3 reports
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The Organization of American Historians condemned a White House report criticizing the ideological framework of the National Museum of American History.Well supported12 reports
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Trump issues directives regarding the scope of the Smithsonian Institution, which he also served as librarian during its 200th anniversary.Some support1 report1 development inside
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Nicholas Galanin's work is featured in a Smithsonian exhibit in Juneau, which is currently under scrutiny from the White House and Trump administration.Some support1 report
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Donald Trump targets Barack Obama and uses Project 2025 to outline attacks on cultural institutions.Some support1 report
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The Smithsonian Institution released a report detailing institutional capture within its museums.Well supported7 reports
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The Smithsonian Institution is housing a historical desk belonging to Thomas Jefferson.Some support1 report
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The Smithsonian Institution and the Museum of the Rockies have announced significant new fossil discoveries.Some support1 report
Gone quiet
No new reports in 90+ days-
Research is being conducted on Lonar Lake, located in the Buldhana district of Maharashtra, involving international bodies like the Smithsonian Institution.Some support1 report
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The Smithsonian Institution has partnered with AmaWaterways to offer river cruise and land tours focusing on the wine regions of Tuscany, Piedmont, Rioja, and Basque Country.Some support1 report
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Lonnie G. Bunch III has been appointed as the secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.Some support1 report
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Clint Smith details the pressure campaign against the Smithsonian Institution, which is being pressured by the Trump administration regarding its framing.Some support1 report
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Dataland, a project described as a Disneyland for art and tech, is utilizing datasets from the Smithsonian Institution and is located in Downtown Los Angeles.Some support1 report
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Lisa Sasaki serves as the interim director of the American Women's History Museum (AWHM), overseeing a major project with a $2M annual budget.Some support1 report
No events began in the chosen period. Widen it, or reset.
Around Smithsonian Institution this week
News at the entities that move Smithsonian Institution most-
Donald Trump StructuralThe Trump administration utilized the Department of Health & Human Services for an AI tool.Moves Smithsonian Institution
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The National Museum of African American History and Culture faces pressure from the Trump administration, coinciding with celebrations along the Potomac River.
Moves Smithsonian Institution
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Lonnie Bunch StructuralTrump banned CNN, Politico, and MS NOW from White House coverage, while Lonnie Bunch announced his departure from the Smithsonian Institution.Moves Smithsonian Institution
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White House StructuralDemands for lower interest rates are being followed, complicated by the current labor market rebound.Moves Smithsonian Institution
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Congress StructuralMandated National Bridge Inspection Standards were established in 1968.Moves Smithsonian Institution
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Doug Burgum OperationalAdministration initiated the removal of exhibits at Independence National Historical Park following a judge's review.Moves Smithsonian Institution
Connections
The 40 strongest of 1,063, analyzed from the reporting. The bars show how strongly a change on one side reaches the other.-
National Museum of American History Structural
The National Museum of American History functions as a division and subsidiary of the Smithsonian Institution.
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Lonnie Bunch Structural
Lonnie Bunch held the formal office of Secretary and led the Smithsonian Institution during her tenure.
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Donald Trump Structural
Donald Trump utilized executive authority and political pressure to mandate changes to the Smithsonian's ideological scope and operations.
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The National Museum of African American History and Culture operates as a division of the Smithsonian Institution.
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National Museum of the American Indian Structural
The National Museum of the American Indian is a subsidiary of the Smithsonian Institution.
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National Portrait Gallery Structural
The National Portrait Gallery is a current subsidiary of the Smithsonian Institution.
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JD Vance Structural
JD Vance serves as a member of the Smithsonian Institution's Board of Regents.
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Museum of American Finance Structural
Museum of American Finance operates as an affiliated entity under the umbrella of the Smithsonian Institution.
Show all 40 connections
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White House Structural
The White House exerts executive oversight and political pressure on the Smithsonian Institution, criticizing its leadership and threatening to withhold federal funds.
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Smithsonian American Art Museum Structural
SAAM functions as a formal division within the larger Smithsonian Institution structure.
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John Roberts Structural
Chief Justice Roberts holds a formal governance role as a member of the Smithsonian Institution's Board of Regents.
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Jeff Merkley Structural
Jeff Merkley oversees the funding for the Smithsonian Institution.
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Domestic Policy Council Structural
The Domestic Policy Council is formally reviewing, criticizing, and issuing reports regarding the institutional direction of the Smithsonian Institution.
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Congress Structural
Congress provides annual funding and exercises formal oversight over the Smithsonian Institution's agenda.
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Lal Structural
Lal holds the appointed role of Director within the Smithsonian Institution's office of academic appointments.
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Doug Burgum Operational
Doug Burgum, in his official capacity as Interior Secretary, is actively pressuring the Smithsonian Institution regarding its leadership, mission, and funding.
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Office of Management and Budget Structural
The Smithsonian Institution relies on the Office of Management and Budget for federal funding and operational oversight.
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Project 2025 Operational
Project 2025 outlines and proposals call for leadership overhauls and attacks on the Smithsonian Institution.
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Lisa Murkowski Structural
The relationship is defined by Murkowski's oversight of the Smithsonian Institution's funding sources.
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Republicans Structural
Republican officials are applying political pressure, scrutiny, and regulatory oversight to the operations and exhibits of the Smithsonian Institution.
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John Roberts Structural
John Roberts holds formal leadership roles, including Chancellor and Board of Regents, at the Smithsonian Institution.
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Indiana Historical Society Structural
Indiana Historical Society is a formal affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution.
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AmaWaterways Operational
A partnership exists between the two entities to enable and market river cruise offerings.
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Clint Smith Operational
Clint Smith is actively involved in a pressure campaign directed against the Smithsonian Institution.
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Bureau of Indian Affairs Operational
The two institutions are in direct competition for limited funding resources, with BIA funding increasing while Smithsonian funding decreased.
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Mike Simpson Structural
Mike Simpson's budgetary decisions directly influence the funding and operational capacity of the Smithsonian Institution.
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Smithsonian Magazine Operational
The Smithsonian Institution utilizes its magazine as a dedicated platform for expressing institutional commentary and views.
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National Numismatic Collection Structural
The National Numismatic Collection is housed and maintained by the Smithsonian Institution.
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Huffman Dam Transactional
A fossil specimen was donated from the context of Huffman Dam to the Smithsonian Institution.
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Organization of American Historians Structural
B provides expert advice and critical review of A's historical findings and institutional representation.
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National Park Service Structural
The National Park Service maintains sites and property that support the operational functions and museum displays of the Smithsonian Institution.
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Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Structural
The Smithsonian Institution relies on financial support and operates under the regulatory purview of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
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Centre For Memories Operational
The two entities maintain a partnership where they interact functionally to achieve shared goals.
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Brandon Gill Operational
Brandon Gill, leveraging his capacity, has been questioning the Smithsonian Institution regarding its institutional policies and ideological drift.
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Anthea M. Hartig Operational
Anthea M. Hartig holds a leadership role within the Smithsonian Institution, whose actions are subject to institutional scrutiny.
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American Alliance of Museums Structural
SI provides policy framework documents and guidance on DEAI to the American Alliance of Museums.
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United Airlines Transactional
Smithsonian Institution collects historical artifacts related to the Flight 93 incident from United Airlines.
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NBC Transactional
NBC has broadcast interviews featuring the Smithsonian Institution secretary.
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Mike Gonzalez Operational
Mike Gonzalez publicly criticized the leadership and new museums of the Smithsonian Institution.
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Russell Vought Operational
Russell Vought was named by the Smithsonian Institution to help restore public trust.
History
Events by the month they beganSeptember 2026
9 events- Michael Collins' connection to the National Air and Space Museum serves as a historical benchmark for institutional change within the Smithsonian.
- An expedition, involving the Smithsonian Institution, is underway across Africa, gathering specimens and artifacts from various countries including Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
- Congress established the Kennedy Center as a memorial, while the Trump administration criticized Smithsonian exhibits and appointed a new board chair.
- Josh Hawley and Laura Ingraham criticized Smithsonian leadership regarding the use of taxpayer resources and American spirit.
- Chief Justice John Roberts serves on the Smithsonian Institution Board of Regents amid administration criticism and internal review.
- Trump repeatedly attacked the Smithsonian's focus on January 1, 2026, leading to the retirement of the chief and calls for a George Washington exhibition.
- The Smithsonian Institution is facing scrutiny from Republicans in Congress regarding the collection of Flight 93 incident artifacts, while Donald Trump also questions the exhibits.
- The Supreme Court blocked a Republican-drawn map in Missouri, while Republican officials also pressured Smithsonian exhibits.
- The Trump administration criticized the Smithsonian Institution's historical narrative, with Doug Burgum asserting it advanced an ideological agenda.
August 2026
9 events- Trump criticized the Smithsonian Institution's messaging on July 30, 2026.
- Mike Simpson's budget cuts have reduced funding for the Smithsonian Institution, while he also chairs a subcommittee advancing a budget increase.
- Mike Simpson's budget cuts have reduced funding for the Smithsonian Institution, while he also chairs a subcommittee advancing a budget increase.
- C-SPAN provided coverage of the Supreme Court and Congress, while noting past employment of Hixon-Day at the Smithsonian and National Trust.
- A commission is considering a potential affiliation between the National Asian Pacific American Museum and the Smithsonian Institution.
- The US awarded a grant to Centre for Memories in Enugu, Nigeria, leveraging a longstanding US-Nigeria partnership.
- The Smithsonian Institution and the California Historical Society are collaborating on studies concerning historical scholarship and economic theories applied to regional development in Southern California.
- The Smithsonian Institution is located in the San Diego area, which includes the neighborhood of La Jolla.
- Researchers from Lincoln University and the Smithsonian Institution studied the ecological risks associated with shipping disruptions.
July 2026
14 events- Donald Trump signed an executive order regarding museum exhibits and ousted a gallery director, while lawmakers criticized the museum's presentations.
- The National Museum of the American Indian, a Smithsonian Institution museum, is facing policy pressure from the White House administration.
- The Smithsonian Institution completed a review involving the Domestic Policy Council.
- White House report brands Smithsonian leadership as radical.
- The Smithsonian Institution used its magazine for institutional commentary, contributed to policy documents, and its leadership salaries were reviewed by Fox News.
- Lal, who previously directed DEI for the National Association of Colleges and Employers, now directs Smithsonian's academic appointments amid Republican scrutiny.
- Mike Braun's administration changed a land agreement involving the Indiana Historical Society and the Smithsonian Institution.
- Smithsonian Institution operates 21 museums in Washington, DC.
- The Smithsonian Institution is being questioned by Congress regarding institutional policies, using a case study involving Brandon Gill and Mickey Mouse.
- The Organization of American Historians condemned a White House report criticizing the ideological framework of the National Museum of American History.
- Nicholas Galanin's work is featured in a Smithsonian exhibit in Juneau, which is currently under scrutiny from the White House and Trump administration.
- Donald Trump targets Barack Obama and uses Project 2025 to outline attacks on cultural institutions.
- The Smithsonian Institution released a report detailing institutional capture within its museums.
- The Smithsonian Institution is housing a historical desk belonging to Thomas Jefferson.
Show 1 earlier month
June 2026
8 events- Trump issues directives regarding the scope of the Smithsonian Institution, which he also served as librarian during its 200th anniversary.
- The Smithsonian Institution and the Museum of the Rockies have announced significant new fossil discoveries.
- Research is being conducted on Lonar Lake, located in the Buldhana district of Maharashtra, involving international bodies like the Smithsonian Institution.
- The Smithsonian Institution has partnered with AmaWaterways to offer river cruise and land tours focusing on the wine regions of Tuscany, Piedmont, Rioja, and Basque Country.
- Lonnie G. Bunch III has been appointed as the secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.
- Clint Smith details the pressure campaign against the Smithsonian Institution, which is being pressured by the Trump administration regarding its framing.
- Dataland, a project described as a Disneyland for art and tech, is utilizing datasets from the Smithsonian Institution and is located in Downtown Los Angeles.
- Lisa Sasaki serves as the interim director of the American Women's History Museum (AWHM), overseeing a major project with a $2M annual budget.