A legal expert is calling for a leadership overhaul at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, arguing the museum has embraced a negative, ‘self-loathing’ portrayal of the nation’s past. Cully Stimson, a senior legal fellow at the Heritage Foundation and former assistant U.S. attorney for Washington, D.C., made the comments after a July 2026 White House report accused the Smithsonian of advancing left-wing agendas.
Concerns Over Museum’s Portrayal of History
Stimson argued that the museum’s approach to teaching history is part of a broader effort by radicals on the left to redefine the history of the United States and reframe it in an oppressor-versus-oppressed narrative. He stated that instead of looking at American history chronologically, the museum takes a very pro-reparations, ‘we’re a bad country,’ oppressor-versus-oppressed narrative.
The comments come after a pair of heated congressional hearings that put National Museum of American History Director Anthea Hartig under the national spotlight. Lawmakers accused museum leaders of allowing political activism to seep into exhibits and influence how history is presented, while Hartig maintained that the museum is nonpartisan and ‘does not take sides in America’s political debates.’ Stimson said the hearings are exposing ‘bile that they’re trying to pass off as history,’ saying ‘sunlight’s a good disinfectant.’
Call for Leadership Overhaul
Stimson said Hartig should have been fired ‘the minute after the hearing’ for what he called ‘smug and self-righteous’ behavior during her testimony and for failing to take accountability. He also stated that America has gone through many ups and downs ‘to get beyond the ugly parts of our history,’ giving Americans reason to celebrate the country today.
Stimson argued that celebrating America does not mean ignoring the darker parts of its past, but rather presenting a balanced view of history. He said that parents are the first educators of their children and it’s up to them ‘to present American history’ the right way.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
