Archive · 12 Jan 2026
Smithsonian Removes Impeachment References from Trump Display
The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery in Washington has taken away some words from a display about former President Donald Trump.
Before, the display talked about how Trump was impeached twice and about the January 6 attack on the US Capitol.
Now, it only says the years he was president.
The gallery is thinking about using shorter words for some of their displays.
Trump has been criticizing how he is shown in different places and has even made changes to how the Smithsonian can spend money.
Some people are debating how museums should show important but controversial events in US history.
The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery removed references to Trump's two impeachments and the January 6 Capitol attack from his display.
The new label only lists Trump's years in office, unlike the previous one which detailed his impeachments and other significant events.
The gallery is considering shorter, less detailed labels for some exhibits.
Trump has been influential in changing how US institutions present recent political history, including an executive order affecting Smithsonian funding.
The gallery's director, Kim Sajet, resigned after Trump criticized her, calling her 'highly partisan'.
- Who
- Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, Donald Trump
- What
- Removed references to Trump's impeachments and January 6 attack from display
- When
- After replacing an older image of Trump with a new portrait
- Where
- Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C.
- Why
- Part of a broader effort by Trump to influence how US institutions present recent political history
- Institution
- Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery
- Subject
- Donald Trump
- Change Made
- Removed impeachment and January 6 references
- New Label Content
- Only lists years in office
- Previous Label Content
- Mentioned two impeachments and Capitol riot
- Museum Response
- Considering shorter labels for some exhibits
- Director Change
- Kim Sajet resigned after Trump criticism
- Trump's Actions
- Executive order on Smithsonian funding, dismissed director