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By MEG KINNARD, GARY FIELDS and CALVIN WOODWARD, Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Smithsonian Institution faced a Tuesday deadline to detail its plans for celebrating the country’s 250th birthday, part of President Donald Trump’s sweeping efforts to purge negativity from the stories that Americans are told about their history.
Trump has previously threatened the Smithsonian’s funding if it continues to promote what he considers “divisive narratives.” The institution is a cornerstone of American culture, operating 21 museums and a zoo that are among the most popular tourist destinations in Washington.
By Tuesday, the Smithsonian was supposed to provide lists of all displays, objects, wall text and other material dedicated to this year’s anniversary and other purposes. The intent is to ensure Americans get an upbeat accounting of the country’s history, not one weighted by complexities or shameful episodes of the past.
The ultimatum was laid out in a Dec. 18 letter to Smithsonian Institution Secretary Lonnie Bunch III from the White House budget director, Russell Vought, and the domestic policy director, Vince Haley.
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