Preparations for the 250th anniversary of American Independence are sparking leftist outrage after a recent letter calling for a review for ideological partisanship in the Smithsonian is likened to erasing history in favor of President Trump’s view of American History.

In a March 27 Executive Order titled Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History, President Trump ordered a review of Federal Sites dedicated to American history, such as the Smithsonian, public monuments, memorials, statues, or other historic markers. 

The order seeks to determine whether the influence of a divisive, race-centered ideology is present in any displays or museums, in an attempt to promote “narratives that portray American and Western values as inherently harmful and oppressive”. Giving an example, the order states: “The National Museum of African American History and Culture has proclaimed that “hard work,””individualism,” and “the nuclear family” are aspects of “White culture”.”

Signed in March, the executive order gained renewed attention after an Aug. 12 letter sent by White House officials to the Smithsonian Institution concerning preparation for the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration. The letter describes the initiative as an attempt to celebrate American exceptionalism and to “remove divisive or partisan narratives”. (RELATED: Spanberger Pockets $50K From Chinese Communist Party Member)

The overwhelming narrative from left leaning commentators and media outlets is that the directive is an attempt to ensure alignment with “President Trump’s view of American history”. Former Labor Secretary and Berkeley professor Robert Reich is among those outraged over the news. Reich, sharing a video on X, paints the directive as authoritarian in nature: 

Conservative commentator Benny Johnson had TV personality and podcaster Jillian Michaels on his show to talk about the letter, which she also discussed on a recent CNN panel. Michaels joined Johnson’s show to discuss the Smithsonian’s framing of certain historic events: 

The executive order appears to be a meaningful step to reduce partisan influence and the reframing of historical events through a woke lens. It follows years of cities and states across the country allowing or executing the removal of historical figures if they had ties to slavery. Conservative commentator Scott Jennings reminded his audience of this in a recent X post:

Both sides in the matter feel passionately about the White House’s objective recognizing the greatness and importance of our nation’s museums and monuments which should aim to reflect truth and history over partisan ideology. (RELATED: Debate Dodge: Spanberger Refuses CNN Invite)