Sen. Murkowski Breaks with GOP on Smithsonian History Teaching Dispute

Senator Lisa Murkowski, a moderate Republican from Alaska, has diverged from her party’s majority stance concerning the GOP’s critique of the Smithsonian Institution’s method of teaching American history. Alongside Senator Jeff Merkley, a Democrat from Oregon, Murkowski issued a letter to the Trump administration. They are seeking further clarification on President Donald Trump’s directive to position ‘temporary signage’ outside the National Museum of American History. This action follows Trump’s allegations that the museum presents historical accounts with bias and inaccuracy.

In their letter, Murkowski and Merkley express their concerns and request more details regarding the Department of the Interior’s role in executing Executive Order 14416, titled ‘Restoring Trust in the Smithsonian Institution.’ Murkowski and Merkley are the Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee.

Senator Murkowski questions Trump’s executive order, which mandates temporary signage outside the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. The order has prompted scrutiny from Republicans who argue the museum, funded with approximately $1 billion annually from taxpayer dollars, features exhibits of a political nature.

However, Murkowski challenges this viewpoint in her bipartisan letter. Addressed to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, she states, ‘For the past 180 years, the Smithsonian Institution has been committed to sharing objective historical evidence through research and education, not political narratives.’ The letter underscores the Smithsonian’s dedication to presenting a full narrative of the nation’s history, encompassing both its achievements and challenges.

President Trump signed an executive order last month instructing Burgum to use current channels to ‘restore trust in the Smithsonian Institution.’ Part of this involves installing ‘temporary exhibits or signage on [federally owned] sidewalks, walkways, and land used by the public that corrects inaccurate information presented in the Museum.’

The senators have requested information from the Trump administration about any precedents for using federal land or funds to relay ‘conflicting information’ to a nearby entity. They inquire about who is responsible for compiling the information and the timeline and cost associated with the signage.

Republicans have criticized examples like an exhibit describing Disney’s ‘Steamboat Willie’ as representative of ‘vestiges of long-standing traditions of blackface minstrelsy.’ Some conservatives on the House Appropriations Committee have expressed to Fox News Digital a desire to implement conditions on the Smithsonian’s federal funding. These conditions would compel the museum to alter controversial exhibits or face the loss of government financial support.

Alex Miller contributes as a writer for Fox News Digital, reporting on the U.S. Senate.