Smithsonian National Museum of American History Director Anthea Hartig appeared stumped by a basic question on sex and gender from Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., during a House hearing on alleged ‘extreme political activism’ at the Smithsonian.

Questioning the Director

Mace asked Hartig, ‘Do you believe that men can become women?’ Hartig hesitated before answering, ‘Ma’am, as the director of the museum, that’s not relevant in this case.’ Mace pressed further, saying, ‘It’s very relevant,’ and pointed to images of Smithsonian displays featuring drag queens, asking, ‘You’ve got men dressed up as women, and you have them on displays in front of kids. Do you think men can become women? Yes or no?’

Hartig did not answer the question but instead began to discuss one of the drag queen displays pictured on the board behind Mace. The congresswoman interrupted her, asking, ‘What is a woman, Dr. Hartig?’ Hartig began to answer that ‘as a director and as a historian, it’s not my-‘ before Mace cut her off again, saying, ‘You sexualized the American History Museum. So, this is a fair question. What is a woman?’

Response to Criticism

Hartig responded, ‘We strive to represent and not categorize all Americans.’ Mace continued to question Hartig, asking about a glossary at the museum that informs visitors that while American culture traditionally recognizes two genders, other countries recognize three or more. Hartig hesitated again before asking, ‘Ma’am, which glossary?’

A recent White House report concluded that the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History has become a taxpayer-backed institution of ‘ideological capture’ and ‘extreme political activism.’ The report stated that the museum treats the American story as a political tool rather than a shared national inheritance.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.