Anthea Hartig defends Smithsonian National Museum of American History against accusations of radical activist ideology during congressional hearings.
Anthea Hartig, director of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, testified before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform to address concerns regarding the museum's "ideological capture." The administration released a 162-page report titled "Saving America’s Story," which accused the institution of using taxpayer dollars to promote a radical, left-wing activist agenda rather than a unifying national narrative. During the hearings, Anthea Hartig faced intense questioning from Republican lawmakers regarding specific exhibits. Heritage Foundation expert Mike Gonzalez criticized a display on Benjamin Franklin for suggesting he may have used slaves as electrical conductors without providing definitive evidence. While Anthea Hartig acknowledged that the museum is imperfect and has made factual errors, she stated she has no regrets regarding the work completed during her tenure. The administration's report suggested the museum currently treats American history as a political tool. In response, Anthea Hartig maintained that the museum takes these concerns seriously but argued that the report does not accurately characterize the full scope of the museum's diverse collections and programming.