A sweeping executive order from President Trump triggers major organizational changes at one of America's most prestigious cultural institutions.
According to NPR, the Smithsonian Institution announced the closure of its diversity office and implemented a federal hiring freeze, affecting its extensive network of museums, research facilities, and the National Zoo.
The decision comes after President Trump's recent executive order that categorizes diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives as "illegal and immoral." This directive has prompted widespread changes across various organizations receiving federal funding despite the Smithsonian's status as an independent institution.
The Smithsonian's significant reliance on federal appropriations for its billion-dollar budget has necessitated compliance with the executive order. Nearly two-thirds of the institution's workforce, approximately 4,300 employees out of 6,500, are federal workers who will face new workplace requirements come April.
The Smithsonian spokesperson addressed the changes in an email to NPR, stating:
Our Institution is fully committed to excellence in our workforce, free from discrimination and harassment. We are closing our Office of Diversity but retaining our efforts at visitor accessibility as it serves a critical function.
The institution maintains its commitment to serving the public, having welcomed nearly 17 million visitors to its facilities across Washington D.C., Virginia, and New York in the previous year.
The ripple effects of Trump's executive order extend beyond the Smithsonian. The National Gallery of Art, another recipient of federal funding, has already dismantled its office of belonging and inclusion and removed DEI-related content from its digital platforms.
These changes occur against the backdrop of the Smithsonian's long-standing traditions, including its 178-year history of free admission to most of its museums. While discussions about implementing admission fees have surfaced during various administrations, concerns about public backlash have consistently prevented such changes.
The corporate sector has also responded to the executive order, with numerous companies eliminating their DEI programs in its wake. This widespread response indicates a significant shift in how American institutions approach workplace diversity and inclusion initiatives.
The Smithsonian Institution, despite its independent status, finds itself at a crossroads between maintaining its cultural heritage and adapting to new federal mandates. The changes primarily affect internal operations while maintaining core public services like visitor accessibility.
The announcement has particularly significant implications for the institution's most visited locations, including the National Museum of Natural History and the National Air and Space Museum on Washington's National Mall. These facilities continue to serve as major tourist attractions and educational resources.
The Cooper Hewitt design museum in New York remains the only Smithsonian facility that charges admission, maintaining its unique status among the institution's properties.
The Smithsonian Institution's closure of its diversity office and implementation of a federal hiring freeze represents a significant shift in response to President Trump's executive order against DEI initiatives. These changes affect operations across dozens of museums, research centers, libraries, and the National Zoo, impacting thousands of federal workers and millions of annual visitors. While the institution maintains its commitment to public accessibility and free admission policies, the elimination of its diversity office signals a substantial transformation in how one of America's premier cultural institutions approaches workplace diversity and inclusion.
