BS BRIEF:
- Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) opened Tuesday’s House hearing by calling it a “Republicans’ white pride rally disguised as a congressional hearing,” immediately escalating tensions.
- The hearing focused on Republican criticism of the Smithsonian’s exhibits and educational materials, including questions about race, gender, historical interpretation and museum programming.
CROCKETT’S “WHITE PRIDE RALLY” REMARK DOMINATES HEATED SMITHSONIAN HEARING
What began as a congressional hearing examining the Smithsonian Institution quickly turned into one of the day’s most contentious political exchanges after Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) delivered an opening statement that immediately drew attention.
“Thank you, Mr. Chair. Welcome to the Republicans’ white pride rally disguised as a congressional hearing,” Crockett said at the outset of her remarks.
The hearing, conducted by the House Oversight Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency, was called to examine whether the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History has become overly political in its exhibits and educational materials. Republicans questioned museum director Anthea Hartig about exhibits discussing race, gender identity and historical interpretation, as well as staff resources that critics argue reflect ideological bias.
Crockett defended the museum’s broader approach to presenting American history and argued that confronting difficult chapters of the nation’s past should not be controversial.
“It might be uncomfortable for some people on this committee to hear about the true history of America… but facts are facts,” Crockett said.
She continued:
“It’s a fact that there is a violent, exclusionary, discriminatory, sexist and racist part of American history…”
Her comments stood in sharp contrast to Republicans, who argued the Smithsonian has increasingly emphasized themes of oppression while minimizing the country’s founding ideals. Committee Chairman Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) contended that many exhibits present history primarily as “an ongoing power struggle between oppressors and the oppressed.”
Museum director Anthea Hartig rejected accusations that the institution has abandoned objectivity.
“The museum does not take sides in America’s political debates,” Hartig testified.
She added that historians seek to expand historical narratives by including voices previously omitted, rather than erasing traditional accounts of American history.
Republican members spent much of the hearing highlighting specific exhibits and educational materials, including discussions about Mickey Mouse’s historical influences, gender identity displays, and a museum reading resource known as the MASS Action Toolkit. Hartig told lawmakers that the Smithsonian did not author the toolkit and defended the museum’s mission while acknowledging there is “always room for improvement.”
Crockett’s opening remark quickly spread across social media, generating strong reactions from both supporters and critics.
DBS WIRE SOURCES:
- Fox News – WATCH: Smithsonian director pressed on woke exhibits: ‘Is Mickey Mouse racist?’ Read the story
- Associated Press – Smithsonian history museum chief rejects White House criticism of its leaders as radical activists
- New York Post – Congress eviscerates Smithsonian museum director for ‘overtly sexual’ trans exhibits, calling ‘politeness’ white supremacy
- House Oversight hearing (video) – Jasmine Crockett calls GOP hearing a “white pride rally”
