The Smithsonian Institution has denied claims that political influence led to the removal of a display about former President Donald Trump’s impeachments at a major US museum.
The display, which was placed at the National Museum of American History in Washington, DC, was recently taken down. Critics have accused the institution of bowing to political pressure.
However, the Smithsonian said the placard was always temporary and was removed due to design issues, not outside influence.
In a statement released on Saturday, the organization explained that the sign did not meet museum standards in terms of its look, placement, and how it fit within the broader exhibit.
“It was not consistent with other sections and blocked the view of items inside the display case,” the statement said. “We were not asked by any government officials or administration to remove content.”
The museum, visited by millions each year, is operated by the Smithsonian Institution, which oversees 21 museums and the National Zoo across the country.
The current backlash began after a report claimed that the museum’s impeachment exhibit had been altered to remove clear references to Trump’s two impeachments.
The revised display stated only that “three presidents have seriously faced removal,” leaving out that Trump was the only one to be impeached twice.
This change was highlighted in a report by The Washington Post, which cited a source familiar with the exhibit’s planning. The source said the removal came after a content review and alleged White House pressure linked to an earlier push to remove an art museum director.
These developments have drawn sharp responses, particularly from critics of Trump.
Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer responded, stating that attempts to hide parts of history would not erase them. He said Americans would remember Trump’s two impeachments regardless of what museum displays show.
“You can run, but you cannot hide from the judgment of history,” Schumer said Friday.
Trump has recently expanded efforts to influence US institutions as part of his “Make America Great Again” platform.
In March, he signed an executive order that required museums and cultural centers to avoid exhibits that spread what he called “improper ideology.” The order also threatened to cut funding to displays that he said undermined national unity or shared values.
During his first term, Trump was impeached twice by the House of Representatives.
The first impeachment, in 2019, charged him with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. The second, in 2021, followed the January 6 Capitol riot and accused him of inciting an insurrection.
In both cases, Trump was acquitted by the Senate.
Only two other US presidents — Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton — have been impeached. Former President Richard Nixon resigned in 1974 before he could be formally impeached over the Watergate scandal.
The Smithsonian has said it plans to update the museum’s impeachment exhibit in the coming weeks. The new section will include references to all impeachment proceedings in US history.
This move is meant to provide a full and accurate picture of presidential impeachments for future visitors.
For now, museum officials stress that the removal of the display was not influenced by political pressure, but rather by the museum’s internal standards for quality and presentation.
