WATCH LIVE: House Oversight hearing examines how the Smithsonian presents U.S. history, under attack by Trump

By — Molly Finnegan Molly Finnegan Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-live-house-oversight-hearing-examines-how-the-smithsonian-presents-u-s-history-under-attack-by-trump Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH LIVE: House Oversight hearing examines how the Smithsonian presents U.S. history, under attack by Trump Politics Jul 21, 2026 10:58 AM EDT The House Oversight's Delivering on Government Efficiency Subcommittee is holding a hearing Tuesday focused on the way the Smithsonian Institution presents U.S. history. Watch the hearing live in our video player above. In announcing the hearing, the Republican-led committee claimed that the "Smithsonian's National Museum of American History is promoting a narrow, politically tendentious agenda instead of seeking to instill in visitors an appreciation for America's unique history as a beacon of liberty, democracy, and opportunity." READ MORE: White House report brands Smithsonian leadership as radical activists who can't be trusted In President Donald Trump's second term, his administration has sought to clamp down on how American history is framed in public spaces, removing exhibits from national parks on slavery and violence against Native Americans. On July 4, the White House released a 162-page report called "Saving America's Story" that alleged that the National Museum of American History has moved "away from straightforward historical education and scholarship toward an extreme political activism that seeks to transform our country." The Smithsonian has pushed back against that characterization. READ MORE: Smithsonian pressured to show Trump its plans for exhibits for America's 250th birthday "For more than 180 years, the Smithsonian has served the American public with nonpartisan and independent scholarship, and we remain committed to doing so," it said in a statement earlier this month. The hearing is one of two scheduled for this week in the House focused on the Smithsonian. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now