The Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Latino was created to celebrate the contributions of Americans of Hispanic descent and to demonstrate how the Latino legacy is woven into the history of the United States. Its inaugural exhibition, ¡Presente! A Latino History of the United States, instead advances a political narrative that departs from that mission and from the museum's congressional mandate. The exhibition elevates themes of activism, identity politics, open borders advocacy, and Marxist political movements while giving insufficient attention to the story that millions of Hispanic Americans know firsthand: family, faith, hard work, patriotism, freedom, and opportunity. Rather than celebrating the contributions of Latino Americans within the broader American story, it presents a view of history focused on grievance, ideology, and criticism of the United States.

The Smithsonian Board wants to bypass congressional approval so that it does not have to seek approval for a new site that would likely not make it through Congress. Current Smithsonian leadership will stop at nothing to distort our history, seeking to sneak in a vote and turn an existing Smithsonian building into a woke Latino museum that has not received congressional authorization. 

While the Board does not have the final say on museum site approval, it is vital that the Trump administration stop this effort and remove leaders who have capitulated America's museums to woke activists.

Donate to Heritage

The Heritage Foundation's in-depth research, congressional testimony, and documentary projects educate Americans every day about how institutions shape the public understanding of our nation's history. If you value this kind of research and educational content, consider making a gift to help support Heritage's mission: