Trump administration threatens to cut Smithsonian funding over alleged activism

The Trump administration is threatening to cut federal cooperation and funding for the Smithsonian, accusing its leadership of "ideological activism" in a letter from the Interior Department to the Board of Regents. The letter, signed by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and White House aide Vince Haley, cites a July 4 report alleging "extreme political activism" at the National Museum of American History. It requests an in-person meeting to address concerns, while Smithsonian officials have defended their work as nonpartisan. The Smithsonian receives over $1 billion in annual federal funding, about 62% of its budget. Secretary Lonnie Bunch has previously affirmed the institution's independence from political influence, and museum director Anthea Hartig has publicly rejected the report's accusations.