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The Trump administration plans to install twelve warning signs at Washington D.C. museum sites, including those run by the Smithsonian Institution and the National Museum of American History. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum wrote letters to Senators Murkowski and Merkley stating that these signs are necessary due to what he perceives as ideological bias within the Smithsonian. The proposed signs would cost approximately $7,000 each, totaling around $84,000 for all twelve. This move is part of a broader effort by the administration to alter the cultural narrative of Washington D.C. institutions and align them more closely with conservative viewpoints.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-17,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
In a move criticized by many, Doug Burgum, Interior Secretary under the Trump administration, wrote to Senators Lisa Murkowski and Jeff Merkley on September 3, proposing to place warning signs at Smithsonian Institution sites in Washington, D.C. The signs would caution visitors about alleged ideological biases at the Smithsonian, particularly at the National Museum of American History (NMAH). These actions are based on President Trump’s July executive order titled "Restoring Trust in the Smithsonian Institution." Burgum cited concerns over Anthea Hartig, the museum's director, who allegedly advanced radical ideologies instead of presenting unbiased historical narratives. As top members of the Senate Appropriations committee overseeing Smithsonian funding, Murkowski and Merkley hold significant influence over the institution’s financial support. The signs are purportedly temporary but have sparked controversy regarding political interference in cultural institutions.
Written for “Smithsonian Ideological Warning Signs” on 2026-09-17,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The article's own words the score was based on. Each is quoted
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Leaning score +0.65 for article 14615 (high confidence, 1 verified quote) · logged 2026-09-17
Trump administration plans ideological warning signs for Smithsonian
The Trump Administration says it is preparing a dozen signs for its Washington, D.C., museum sites that will warn visitors about the Smithsonian Institution in general, and the National Museum of American History in particular.
asserted
that → plan → History
In letters to U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Jeff Merkley, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum wrote that a "commitment to public transparency" and "academic honesty" required the administration to advise visitors that "the leadership of the Smithsonian and NMAH have altered the museum's role from accurately and coherently telling America's story to using the museum as a tool to advance personal, radical ideologies."
Murkowski, a Republican from Alaska, and Merkley, a Democrat from Oregon, are the top members of the Senate Appropriations committee, which oversees Smithsonian funding.
The signs, which the administration says are temporary, will be placed on National Park Service land and will reflect President Trump's July executive order, called "Restoring Trust in the Smithsonian Institution."
The Sept. 3 letter from Burgum outlines several grievances, including that Anthea Hartig, the director of the American History museum, "has stated that history is 'a prime tool of social justice'," and that the museum seeks "to legitimize illegal immigration and open borders."
asserted
museum → write → immigration
It charges that several exhibits "present ideological viewpoints inconsistent with biology, including ideologies that sex is not binary."
asserted
sex → charge → ideologies
The letter also says that "visitors should be aware of Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch's history of invidious discrimination and anti-white animus."
asserted
visitors → say → discrimination
The Smithsonian declined to comment on Burgum's letter.
asserted
Smithsonian → decline → letter
Bunch, however, in a letter addressed to Smithsonian staffers in July, responded forcefully to a report that detailed the administration's accusations of bias: "At the Smithsonian, our work is driven by scholarship, accuracy and an uncompromising commitment to tell the fullness of America's story.
asserted
work → address → story
Bunch, who is highly respected in the worlds of academia and museums, announced on Sept. 8 that he would retire at the end of the year.
asserted
he → respect → year
He told NPR that the timing was not connected to attacks from the Trump Administration.
asserted
timing → tell → Administration
The Interior Department letter said the text for the signs is not yet finalized, and estimated they would cost $7,000 each, or about $84,000 total.
asserted
they → say → 7,000
NPR has reached out to Murkowski for comment.
asserted
NPR → reach → comment
The Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans have been pressuring the Smithsonian through executive orders and hearings as part of an effort to change the culture of Washington, D.C. institutions and monuments.
asserted
Administration → pressure → institutions
The proposed changes to the city have included renovating the Kennedy Center, and renaming it after Trump, and a proposed triumphal arch.
asserted
changes → propose → Trump
"This is another step in a well-planned pressure campaign by the Trump Administration to undermine the integrity and independence of the Smithsonian Institution," Sen. Merkley said in a statement about the letter emailed to NPR.
asserted
Merkley → plan → NPR
"I'll fight like hell to protect the Smithsonian's independence so that the Institution can continue to tell all of America's story for generations to come."
asserted
Institution → fight → generations
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