Rep. Kweisi Mfume (D-MD) testified Tuesday during a House Oversight subcommittee hearing regarding the Smithsonian Institution's presentation of American history. During the session, Mfume expressed opposition to potential changes to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, stating that he and others would work to preserve the institution and its exhibits. Mfume cited his personal experience growing up in the segregated South as the basis for his position on the importance of historical representation.
The hearing, organized by the Republican-led committee, reviewed whether the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History is fulfilling its mission. Committee leadership stated in a hearing announcement that the museum has promoted a "politically tendentious agenda" rather than fostering appreciation for American democracy and opportunity. Republican members questioned whether certain exhibits prioritized specific political narratives over a broader view of national history.
The legislative oversight occurs as the Trump administration has reviewed and altered historical framing in various federal public spaces. This includes the removal of certain exhibits related to slavery and Native American history from national parks. Mfume and other Democratic members argued that these actions, along with the scrutiny of the Smithsonian, constitute an attempt to minimize the history of marginalized groups. Representatives from the Smithsonian defended their curatorial choices as being rooted in academic scholarship.