Morelle and House Admin Dems Demand Preservation of Smithsonian’s more than 175-years of Curatorial Independence

Dems to VP Vance: ‘We write to you as shared custodians of one of the nation’s crown jewels—and with great concern over its future.’

WASHINGTON – Rep. Joe Morelle (NY-25), the top Democrat on the Committee on House Administration, led all Democratic Committee Members in sending a letter to Vice President and Smithsonian Regent JD Vance rejecting the President’s overreaching and destructive Proclamation on the Smithsonian Institution.  
 
“The Smithsonian is the envy of cultural institutions across the planet—not because of ideological edicts or interference from politicians, but because of the world-renowned experts who independently curate the Smithsonian’s collections, programs, exhibits, and activities. It is this curatorial independence that is the hallmark of credible museums and cultural institutions,” wrote the Members.
 
On March 27, 2025, President Trump issued a Proclamation—mischaracterized by the White House as an Executive Order—absurdly purporting to “restor[e] truth and sanity to American history” by “seeking to remove improper ideology” from the Smithsonian.
  
Click here to read the letter to Vice President JD Vance.

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The Committee on House Administration’s jurisdiction includes federal elections, House operations, Capitol Complex security, the Smithsonian Institution, and Legislative Branch agencies such as the Library of Congress and Government Publishing Office.