Another Washington institution just made a move that’s ignited a fresh political firestorm—this time inside the halls of America’s most respected museum network.
The National Museum of American History, part of the federally funded Smithsonian Institution, has quietly removed a reference to Donald Trump’s two impeachments from its presidential exhibit. On the surface, the change might seem procedural. But the political reaction? Immediate, intense, and telling.
What Happened—And Why It’s Making Noise
The museum’s “American Presidency” gallery has remained largely unchanged since it opened in 2000. It covers everything from George Washington’s desk to JFK’s speeches. However, in September 2021—during the peak of political fallout from Trump’s second impeachment—a temporary label was added to acknowledge the twin proceedings against the 45th President.
That label stayed in place for nearly four years. Then, in July 2025, it quietly disappeared.
According to internal sources cited by The Washington Post, the removal came after an internal content review and a broader reassessment of exhibit priorities. On paper, it was simply time for a refresh. In practice, however, critics are calling it something else entirely.
A Museum in the Middle of a Political Earthquake
Behind the scenes, the Smithsonian had recently undergone leadership changes—particularly the resignation of Kim Sajet, a controversial museum director often targeted by conservative figures for her DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) advocacy.
Trump himself had previously accused Sajet of being “openly biased” and “politicizing art with identity politics.”
Whether her departure had anything to do with the timing of the label’s removal remains unconfirmed, but the decision has set off alarms among Democratic lawmakers and liberal commentators, many of whom are now accusing the Smithsonian of historical erasure.
The Political Fallout: Reactions Fly Fast
It didn’t take long before Capitol Hill lit up.
California Senator Adam Schiff took to X (formerly Twitter), posting screenshots from The New York Times’ impeachment headlines with the caption: “This is what Donald Trump wants you to forget. America never will.”
Wisconsin Representative Mark Pocan echoed the sentiment: “Trump can pretend it didn’t happen all he wants, but the facts don’t lie — he was impeached twice. I know. I was there.”
Even California Governor Gavin Newsom’s press office chimed in with a sharp jab, comparing the censorship to the still-classified Epstein files: “Trump’s censoring the Smithsonian like it’s the Epstein List. History gets erased when it implicates him.”
Was the Removal Political, or Just Bureaucratic?
Smithsonian officials insist the label was never meant to be permanent.
A spokesperson stated: “It was installed in September 2021 to address current events. It remained longer than intended, but the gallery is undergoing long-term review, and future updates will include all presidential impeachments.”
Still, skeptics note that the decision comes on the heels of Trump’s executive order in March, which instructed federal institutions to eliminate so-called “anti-American ideology” and “divisive narratives.”
Coincidence? Or coordinated clean-up?
The Larger Pattern—and What Comes Next
Trump has long been critical of how he’s portrayed in institutions ranging from public schools to federal museums. During his first term, his administration repeatedly clashed with the Smithsonian over exhibits that emphasized racial injustice, slavery, and critiques of American foreign policy.
Now, with a second term underway and executive orders flying, his team appears intent on reshaping cultural narratives—and institutions like the Smithsonian are squarely in the crosshairs.
Despite the museum’s assurances that future exhibit overhauls will include accurate and complete records of all impeachments—including Trump’s—the temporary disappearance has fueled speculation that broader historical edits may be on the horizon.
What the Exhibit Looks Like Now
For now, visitors walking into the American Presidency gallery will find references to Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton, and Richard Nixon—who resigned before the House could impeach him.
But the two impeachment trials Trump faced—one in 2019 over his call with Ukraine, the other in 2021 after the January 6 Capitol riot—are nowhere to be seen.
Both trials ended in Senate acquittals, and Trump remains the only president in history to be impeached twice.
So, the question remains: is the omission just a temporary formatting shuffle—or a warning shot in a larger battle over American memory?
