Washington, D.C. – In a sharply partisan House Oversight Committee hearing on Tuesday, Republicans pressed the director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History about a 2017 internal document that characterized traits such as politeness, objectivity, and other common professional standards as elements of “white supremacy culture.”
Rep. Brandon Gill (R-Texas) directly confronted Director Anthea Hartig regarding the “Mass Action Toolkit,” which reportedly included items such as “politeness,” “objectivity,” and similar concepts on its list of supposed white supremacy characteristics. Gill highlighted what he described as an irony when Hartig acknowledged during the hearing that politeness itself matters in professional settings.
The exchange escalated as Gill questioned the appropriateness of certain museum exhibits and programming, including displays on Mickey Mouse and “blackface minstrelsy,” which he argued were explicit for young visitors, as well as merchandise such as “Latina Power” hats available in museum shops. Republicans framed the hearing as oversight of how the Smithsonian Institution—which receives roughly $1 billion in annual taxpayer funding—presents American history and culture, particularly on issues of race.
Democrats pushed back strongly. Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) dismissed the Republican line of questioning as a “white pride rally.” During the hearing, Crockett also referenced Argentina’s loss in the World Cup, attributing it in part to the country’s “racist history,” prompting criticism from historian David Blight, who pushed back against the characterization.
The hearing underscored deep partisan divisions over the role of federally funded cultural institutions. Republicans argued that the Smithsonian should focus on presenting a balanced, factual history rather than what they called ideological frameworks. Democrats defended the institution’s approach as necessary for contextualizing America’s complex past, including its struggles with racism.
The 2017 toolkit has circulated in conservative media circles for years as an example of critical race theory influences in major institutions. Smithsonian officials have previously described such materials as outdated or not reflective of current policy.
The committee did not take any immediate votes on funding or policy changes, but the session is expected to fuel ongoing congressional debates about oversight and appropriations for the Smithsonian complex.
