Trump gets public rebuke as Smithsonian defies order

The Smithsonian hit back at the Trump administration late Monday, committing to be “free from political or partisan influence" as it refused to kowtow to the president's orders.

“Since its inception, the Smithsonian has set out to be a nonpartisan institution,” the museum's Board of Regents wrote. ‘As the nation’s museum, the Smithsonian must be a welcoming place of knowledge and discovery for all Americans.”

The museum's hit back followed an executive order that President Donald Trump issued to remove "improper ideology" from the Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo, accusing them of trying to rewrite American history on race and gender.

“To reinforce our nonpartisan stature, the Board of Regents has directed the Secretary to articulate specific expectations to museum directors and staff regarding content in Smithsonian museums," the board wrote.

They “give directors reasonable time to make any needed changes to ensure unbiased content, and to report back to the Board on progress and any needed personnel changes based on success or lack thereof in making the needed changes.”

“The Board of Regents will continue its vigilant, independent oversight of the Smithsonian and its museums to protect their rigorous scholarship and expertise, nonpartisanship, and accuracy, and ensure that the Smithsonian is welcoming to all Americans,” the Smithsonian said.

“The Board of Regents is committed to ensuring that the Smithsonian is a beacon of scholarship free from political or partisan influence, and we recognize that our institution can and must do more to further these foundational values,” the board added.

The Smithsonian noted, “All personnel decisions are made by and subject to the direction of the Secretary, with oversight by the Board.”