On August 7, 2026, Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) diverged from many Republicans by defending the Smithsonian Institution amid GOP criticism of its portrayal of American history. Murkowski, alongside Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), sent a letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum expressing concern and seeking more information about President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14416, titled “Restoring Trust in the Smithsonian Institution.”

The executive order directs the installation of "temporary signage" outside the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, following Trump’s accusation that the museum presents historical accounts through an "inaccurate and hyper-partisan lens."

In the bipartisan letter, Murkowski emphasized the Smithsonian’s longstanding dedication to objective historical evidence, writing, "For the past 180 years, the Smithsonian Institution has been committed to sharing objective historical evidence through research and education, not political narratives."

The senators added, "There is nothing more American than telling our story truthfully," highlighting the Smithsonian’s efforts to present a comprehensive narrative of the nation’s history, encompassing both triumphs and trials.

The Smithsonian Institution receives approximately $1 billion annually in taxpayer funding from Congress, a point of contention among Republicans who argue some exhibits are politically charged. Murkowski’s stance challenges this narrative, advocating for the institution’s role in education rather than political discourse.

President Trump signed the executive order on June 3, 2026, in the Oval Office of the White House, signaling a federal push to oversee the content presented at the Smithsonian.

Sources