Government Oversight & Historical Interpretation - The White House is conducting an internal review of selected Smithsonian museums and exhibitions to ensure alignment with the president's directive to celebrate American exceptionalism and remove divisive narratives [1] - The administration plans to review eight Smithsonian museums initially, including the National Museum of American History, the National Museum of African-American History and Culture, the National Museum of the American Indian, and the National Portrait Gallery [1] - The President signed an executive order claiming the Smithsonian has come under the influence of a divisive race-centered ideology and directed the Vice President to remove improper ideology [1] Historical Perspective & Cultural Significance - 97% of Americans believe museums are educational assets for their communities [1] - 92% of adults in the US consider museums as nonpartisan providers of educational content [1] - Three-quarters (75%) of the American public believe museums are an important part of civil society and support civic knowledge and participation [1] - History is complex, involving both positive and negative aspects, and understanding the full story is crucial for learning [3][4] Curatorial Integrity & Evolving Narratives - Museums should evolve, discuss, and review their content, with curators and experts playing a key role in ensuring accuracy and comprehensiveness [10] - The telling of history involves curation, emphasizing certain aspects and minimizing others, which is a matter of opinion [6][7][8]