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By Kate Plummer
Senior US News Reporter
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The removal of President Donald Trump from an exhibit about impeachments at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History has sparked a backlash.
The museum removed references to Trump's two impeachments from a part of the museum, according to the Washington Post, citing an anonymous source which Newsweek did not verify. The publication said this was because of a content review the museum agreed to amid pressure from the Trump administration to remove a museum director. The museum told the publication future exhibits would reference Trump's impeachments.
Among multiple critics of the move were a former GOP Congressman who said the removal was "Despicable. Reprehensible. Dishonest. Cowardly," and an analyst who said it was "disgraceful."
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A Smithsosian spokesperson told Newsweek: "In reviewing our legacy content recently, it became clear that the "Limits of Presidential Power" section in The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden exhibition needed to be addressed. The section of this exhibition covers Congress, The Supreme Court, Impeachment, and Public Opinion. Because the other topics in this section had not been updated since 2008, the decision was made to restore the Impeachment case back to its 2008 appearance.
In September 2021, the museum installed a temporary label on content concerning the impeachments of Donald J. Trump. It was intended to be a short-term measure to address current events at the time, however, the label remained in place until July 2025.
A large permanent gallery like The American Presidency that opened in 2000,requires significant amount of time and funding to update and renew. A future and updated exhibit will include all impeachments."
Newsweek the White House by email outside of normal business hours to comment.
Why It Matters
The Smithsonian is a public trust and the world's largest museum, education, and research complex, comprising 21 museums and the National Zoo. Eleven of its museums are located along the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
During his second administration, Trump has influenced the museum, which is independent of the government but receives funding from Congress. In March, he signed an executive order to eliminate "anti-American ideology" in the museum and to "restore the Smithsonian Institution to its rightful place as a symbol of inspiration and American greatness."
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Trump said a "concerted and widespread" effort over the past decade has sought to rewrite American history by replacing "objective facts" with ideologically driven distortions.
He also attacked the director of the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery, claiming she was a "highly partisan" person. She later quit.
What To Know
Trump was impeached twice during his first term in office but in both cases he was acquitted by the Senate. Content about these impeachments had been displayed since September 2021 alongside information about the impeachment threats to former presidents Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton and Richard Nixon, according the the publication.
After the report that references to Trump had been removed, people took to X, formerly Twitter, to voice their discontent.
Political analyst Jeff Greenfield said: "'Orwellian' is a much-overused phrase; but forcing the Smithsonian to erase the fact of Trump's impeachments is right out of 1984. Did they drop that stuff down the memory hole?"
Democratic California Senator Adam Schiff posted images of newspaper headlines detailing Trump's impeachments and wrote: "This is what Donald Trump wants you to forget. American never will."
Joe Walsh, a former GOP Congressman and Trump critic called the report "Despicable. Reprehensible. Dishonest. Cowardly."
Trump's 2 impeachments are historical facts," he continued. "They are both part of American history. He's using the powers of his office to try to rewrite history. I'm done saying 'shame on him.' Shame on us for electing him."
Sarah Matthews, Trump's former deputy press secretary, accused the museum of becoming "state propaganda."
And political analyst Larry Sabato, called it "absolutely disgraceful."
Which Presidents Have Been Impeached?
Johnson, Clinton and Trump have all been impeached. Nixon resigned before he could be impeached.
What People Are Saying
Larry Sabato told Newsweek: "Trump uses the massive power of federal cash—our money—to threaten and coerce. No checks, no balances. Well, money checks but not the kind the Founders intended. Look at the universities, including mine. They crumble in the face of financial intimidation. We're at the beginning, not the end. And it ought to frighten everyone outside Trump's cult."
What Happens Next
After the Washington Post published its story, the Smithsonian told the publication in a statement that "a future and updated exhibit will include all impeachments."
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