***IMMEDIATE ACTION***Block Trump’s War on History [07-23-26]
On the Declaration of Independence’s 250th birthday, Trump vitriolically attacked the renowned Smithsonian National Museum of American History, alleging its capture by a "radical, activist ideology that is fundamentally opposed to telling the noble, honest story of the great country we know and love." He further asserted that embracing an anti-white bias and distorting the nation’s founding narrative had turned it into a “political instrument that divides, dispirits and discourages our citizens.”
This head-on assault was part of Trump’s ongoing policy of erasing all references to America’s history of slavery, the civil rights movement, the ethnic cleansing of Native Americans, and anything else contradicting his-far-right, White Supremacist world view:
· In March 2025, he accused the Smithsonian of coming “under the influence of a divisive race center ideology [that] portrays American and Western values as inherently harmful and oppressive.”
· Two months later, he fired Kim Sajet, the director of its National Portrait Gallery, calling her “a strong supporter of DEI.”
· In August, he declared the Smithsonian “ out of control” because “everything discussed is how horrible our country is, how bad slavery was.”
He’s also engaged in a shadow war against the Smithsonian, pressing Congress to cut its budget and appoint members to its Board of Regents who will whitewash racism, celebrate American exceptionalism, and ignore historically marginalized communities’ significant contributions.
Congress must refuse these demands. The 15 million who visit Smithsonian museums annually are entitled to an accurate representation of American history, not MAGA propaganda. Our MoCs must do everything in their power to protect the independence and integrity of both the Smithsonian and our nation’s historical legacy.
ACTION One: Call the Senate and the House.
SEN. MERKLEY: Portland office: 503-326-3386 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753
SEN. WYDEN: Portland office: 503-326-7525 | D.C. office: 202-224-5244
REP. BONAMICI: Oregon office: 503-469-6010 | D.C. office: 202-225-0855
REP. BENTZ: Medford office: 541-776-4646 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753
REP. DEXTER: Portland office: 503-231-2300 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753
REP. HOYLE: Eugene office: 541-465-6732 | D.C. office: 202-225-6416
REP. BYNUM: Oregon City office: 503-387-8651 | D.C. office: 202-225-5711
REP. SALINAS: Salem office: 503-385-0906 | D.C. office: 202-225-5643
