Pressley Has Fought to Defend DEI, Protect Black History, and Push Back Against Republicans’ Efforts to Ban Books and Deny Intellectual Freedom

Earlier This Year, Pressley, Tonko Demanded an Investigation into Trump’s Attack on Smithsonian Museums

Text of Letter (PDF) | Pressley Floor Speech (YouTube)

BOSTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) issued the following statement condemning Trump’s thinly veiled attempt to politicize and editorialize exhibits at Smithsonian museums – particularly museums and exhibits with diverse and factual presentations of American history – as yet another attempt to whitewash history, erase Black history, and attack intellectual freedom.

The museums subject to review include the National Museum of American History, National Museum of Natural History, National Museum of African American History and Culture, National Museum of the American Indian, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian American Art Museum, National Portrait Gallery, and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.

“It is the impartial role and responsibility of the Smithsonian museums to ensure a full, accurate, and resonant telling of American history – and Trump has no right to censor our history, ignore the systemic oppression of marginalized people, and attack our intellectual freedom. Much like his disgraceful rollbacks of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and his campaign to ban books, this action is yet another attempt to whitewash our shared history and replace the challenges and triumphs of women, people of color, and Native Americans with false narratives forged with white supremacist ideology.

“Black History is American history, and no amount of white-washing or erasure will change the truth. There is no American history without the brilliance of every marginalized individual, the labor and talent of our enslaved Black ancestors, and the contributions of our Black and brown communities, LGBTQ+ individuals, indigenous people, individuals with disabilities, and others. We refuse to allow Trump and Republicans’ narrow vision of what it means to be American rewrite our shared, truthful history.”

In May 2025, Rep. Pressley, alongside Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20), Co-Chair of the Congressional Museum Caucus, led 69 of their colleagues on a letter to the Inspector General of the Smithsonian Institution demanding an investigation on the impact of Donald Trump’s harmful Executive Order attacking Smithsonian museums – namely, the American Art Museum, the American Women’s History Museum, and the National Museum of African American History and Culture – attempting to erase histories of marginalized communities. A copy of the letter is available here.

In April 2025, Rep. Pressley delivered a floor speech slamming Trump’s attack on Smithsonian museums and affirming that Black history is American history.

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