Rep. Jamie Raskin Introduces Bill to Preserve Trump-Era Propaganda at the Smithsonian

Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) has introduced the Preserving and Remembering the History of Trump and other Tyrants Act. If enacted, the bill allocates $5 million in congressional appropriations for the Smithsonian to acquire and safeguard the signage.

Washington Examiner

The proposal follows a broader clash between the Trump administration and the Smithsonian. On July 4, the White House released a 162-page report accusing the museum of minimizing the nation’s founders and promoting activism for transgender people and illegal immigrants. That report accompanied a request to cut the Smithsonian’s federal funding by 11 %, reducing the FY 2027 budget request to just over $960 million—the lowest level since 2020. The controversy contributed to Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch III announcing his resignation, effective at the end of the year.

Washington Examiner

The bill’s $5 million appropriation would be added to the Smithsonian’s budget specifically for the preservation effort. It also directs the National Park Service to remove any signage erected near the museum without congressional consent. The legislation calls on the Smithsonian’s Secretary to determine which items have “historical significance” for inclusion in a permanent exhibition.

Washington Examiner

Rep. Raskin framed the measure as a safeguard against “authoritarian narcissism” and an effort to ensure future study of the Trump administration’s influence on American history. The Smithsonian declined to comment when contacted for comment on the bill.

Washington Examiner

• “Unlike President Trump’s project of censoring, whitewashing and fictionalizing American history, my legislation will forever preserve his manifestations of authoritarian narcissism and his propagandistic assault on American history and American democracy,” — Rep. Jamie Raskin

Washington Examiner