The Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History has reinstated President Donald Trump—and the story of his two impeachments—to its flagship exhibit “The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden.” This restoration comes after a controversial removal of the impeachment placard in July 2025, which sparked national debate about historical representation, political bias, and curatorial decisions in major cultural institutions.
The Temporary Removal and Public Backlash
Initially installed in 2021, the impeachment panel covering Trump’s 2019 and 2021 impeachments was taken down citing curatorial concerns over exhibit design and artifact visibility, as explained in the Smithsonian’s public statement. The decision ignited allegations of historical revisionism and political censorship, especially given Trump’s own earlier criticism of the Smithsonian as promoting “anti-American ideology.”
News outlets including CBS News and The Washington Post covered the ensuing controversy extensively, highlighting the public’s strong reactions demanding a transparent and factual account of this turbulent chapter in American history.
Key Updates in the Reinstated Exhibit
Reopened in August 2025, the exhibit now incorporates all four presidential impeachments—those of Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton, Richard Nixon, and Donald Trump, who remains the only president impeached twice. Importantly, the text describing Trump’s impeachments is revised for greater neutrality and accuracy, reflecting ongoing historical debates.
For example, language formerly stating Trump’s impeachments involved “repeated false statements challenging the 2020 election” has been softened to “based on his challenge to the 2020 election results.” The description of the January 6 Capitol riot references his speech in a more factual tone, removing inflammatory phrasing. The updated text also uses terms like “alleged” with regard to charges of foreign interference during the first impeachment.
Newly acquired artifacts, such as Senate gallery tickets from Trump’s impeachment trials, enhance the historicity and tangible connection for visitors.
More background about presidential impeachments and their constitutional significance can be found on the U.S. Senate’s official impeachment resource.
The Smithsonian’s Role in Balancing History and Political Sensitivity
Museum leadership has emphasized the challenge of presenting recent, politically charged events in a way that maintains historical integrity and objectivity. The Smithsonian’s mission as “the nation’s memory keeper” means it must navigate conflicting perspectives while delivering comprehensive educational content.
This delicate balancing act is a microcosm of the broader difficulty institutions face amid increasingly polarized public discourse. Scholars and curators aim to uphold museum ethics guidelines that promote inclusiveness without diluting historical facts.
The Broader Implications for Public History
The restoration underlines the evolving role of museums as spaces not only for preservation but for critical engagement and dialogue on contemporary issues. Exhibits like “The American Presidency” become arenas where history, politics, and public memory intermingle.
For visitors and researchers alike, this exhibit provides a multifaceted look at a presidency marked by exceptional controversy and reveals how institutional storytelling adapts as historical narratives develop.
Additional perspectives and public reactions are detailed in Smithsonian magazine’s coverage and analytical articles from The Atlantic.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Why was the Trump impeachment content removed from the Smithsonian exhibit originally?
It was removed in July 2025 due to concerns that the signage did not align with exhibit design standards and obstructed the view of other artifacts. Smithsonian officials confirmed no political pressure guided this decision.
Q2: How has the exhibit text about Trump’s impeachments changed in the update?
The language was neutralized, replacing charged phrases with more factual descriptions. The word “alleged” was introduced to describe certain charges, and more balanced wording on the January 6 events was adopted.
Q3: Does the exhibit include impeachments of other presidents?
Yes, it now covers all four impeachment proceedings in U.S. history, including Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton, Richard Nixon, and both impeachments of Donald Trump.
Q4: Where is this exhibit located?
The exhibit is housed at the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C., part of the Smithsonian Institution.
Q5: How does the Smithsonian address concerns about political bias?
The Smithsonian emphasizes its commitment to presenting accurate, comprehensive history grounded in scholarship and museum ethics, independent of political influences.
Q6: Where can I learn more about presidential impeachment history?
The U.S. Senate’s impeachment resource and the Smithsonian’s own collections website provide authoritative information.
The Smithsonian’s restoration and revision of the Trump impeachment section serve as an important case study in how national museums mediate contested histories and evolving political narratives. For educators, visitors, and historians, the exhibit offers a chance to reflect on how history is curated in the public sphere.