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Smithsonian museum chief rejects criticism of its leaders as radical activists
Summary by The Waco Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by AP via Scripps News Group , KXXV (ABC 25) News
· July 21, 2026
· 4 min read
The director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History pushed back Tuesday against a recent White House report that branded the institution's leadership as radical activists who cannot be trusted. The testimony from Anthea M. Hartig came as President Donald Trump has engaged in a b...
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Summary created by The Waco Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting AP via Scripps News Group, KXXV (ABC 25) News Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 21, 2026 Indexed here Jul 21, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway "As we continue to fact check the report, we unwaveringly attest that it does not fairly or accurately characterize the full body of work at the museum," Hartig told a House Oversight subcommittee.
Why this matters in The Waco
The controversy surrounding the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History has implications for Waco's own cultural institutions and their approach to presenting the city's history. As the museum's director, Anthea M. Hartig, defends the institution's leadership against accusations of being radical activists, local historians and museum curators in Waco may be watching closely to see how this national debate plays out. The effort to reshape the stories of America told by cultural institutions could have a ripple effect on how local history is presented in Waco, particularly in regards to the city's own complex history of racism and social justice. Waco's museums and historical societies may need to navigate similar criticisms and pressures to present a more nuanced and inclusive narrative of the city's past, one that acknowledges the experiences of marginalized communities and adds depth to the traditional narrative.
About this story
Original reporting by KXXV (ABC 25) News . The Waco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KXXV (ABC 25) News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 21, 2026 ·
Source: KXXV (ABC 25) News ·
Reading time: 4 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History pushed back Tuesday against a recent White House report that branded the institution's leadership as radical activists who cannot be trusted. The testimony from Anthea M. Hartig came as President Donald Trump has engaged in a b...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 21, 2026 by KXXV (ABC 25) News and curated for The Waco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by AP via Scripps News Group at KXXV (ABC 25) News. To learn more about how The Waco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Waco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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