ExecutiveOrdersEO
EO 14416Executive OrderTrump 47 · R

Executive Order 14416

Restoring Trust in the Smithsonian Institution

This executive order directs Interior, OMB, GSA, and the Domestic Policy Council to use available authorities to address alleged ideological bias at the Smithsonian Institution and its National Museum of American History, based on a prior administration report. It mandates temporary signage and exhibits on National Park Service property near the Museum to warn visitors of the report's findings and correct perceived inaccuracies.

Federal Register Open PDF 91 FR 47925

Key directives

  • Secretary of Interior, OMB Director, GSA Administrator, and Domestic Policy Assistant to identify and utilize all available authorities to restore trust in Smithsonian
  • Secretary of Interior, through NPS Director, to install temporary signage on NPS walkways informing visitors of Report findings and directing them to alternative history resources
  • Secretary of Interior, through NPS Director, to install temporary exhibits or signage correcting perceived inaccurate information about the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Signage installation directive issued
  • Report findings to be publicized via NPS property

Near term (90d)

  • Temporary signage and exhibits to be installed on NPS-maintained walkways
  • Agencies to identify available authorities and mechanisms

Long term

  • Potential renovation of Museum exhibits consistent with Report findings
  • Ongoing oversight of Smithsonian compliance with administration policy

Risks & tensions

  • Significant First Amendment concerns regarding government speech doctrine and compelled speech
  • Potential conflict with Smithsonian's congressional charter and traditional independence from political control
  • Vague 'all available authorities' language creates legal uncertainty; may include funding conditions with constitutional spending power limits
  • Signage directive effectively creates government warning labels for a non-executive entity, unprecedented in cultural institution context
  • No explicit deadline for compliance, weakening enforceability
Executive Order 14416: Restoring Trust in the Smithsonian Institution · Executive Orders