Politics
Interior Department plans temporary signs criticising Smithsonian exhibits, letter shows
The Trump administration estimates the signs will cost around $84,000 as lawmakers raise concerns.
The short version
- Interior Secretary Doug Burgum revealed plans to install about a dozen temporary signs outside the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History to criticize specific exhibits.[The Washington Sun · NPR]
- The signs will be placed on National Park Service land at an estimated cost of $7,000 each, totaling $84,000.[The Washington Sun · NPR]
- Sen. Jeff Merkley criticized the project as an attempt to undermine the institution, while Sen. Lisa Murkowski questioned the origin of the funding.[The Washington Sun · NPR]
- The exact text of the signs remains unfinalized, and it is unclear how the Interior Department will fund the project.[The Washington Sun · NPR]
Key facts
- The Interior Department plans to place about 12 temporary signs on National Park Service land outside the National Museum of American History to criticize specific exhibits.[The Washington Sun · NPR]
- Each sign is estimated to cost approximately $7,000, bringing the total expected cost to $84,000.[The Washington Sun · NPR]
- The sign plan follows President Trump's July executive order titled "Restoring Trust in the Smithsonian Institution."[The Washington Sun · NPR]
- Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch announced he will retire at the end of the year, maintaining the decision is unrelated to administration pressure.[The Washington Sun · NPR]
What remains uncertain
- The specific text to be printed on the signs has not yet been finalized.[The Washington Sun · NPR]
- The specific budgetary line item or funding source for the $84,000 project remains unconfirmed by lawmakers.[The Washington Sun]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.