The Smithsonian designated its Arts and Industries Building as the permanent home of the controversial National Museum of the American Latino, a move critics say will allow the institution to move forward without another congressional fight over a museum they argue should not exist. The decision comes as the Smithsonian faces intensifying scrutiny over its historical exhibits. Mike Gonzalez, a former Bush State Department official and longtime critic of the Latino museum, argued its inaugural exhibition promoted a far-left worldview and said selecting the Arts and Industries Building was an effort to avoid a contentious Capitol Hill battle.
"We need to fire the Smithsonian leadership," Gonzalez said. "We need to get rid of the Latino museum. It needs to be de-authorized.
It should not exist." SMITHSONIAN DIRECTOR ADMITS SHE SEES HISTORY AS ‘TOOL’ OF ‘SOCIAL JUSTICE’ AFTER EXPLOSIVE HEARING Shortly after the interview, his wish partially came true when the Smithsonian's top official, Secretary Lonnie Bunch III, announced his retirement after four decades with the institution. Gonzalez examined the Latino museum’s inaugural 2022 exhibition, "¡Presente!," in a Heritage Foundation report shared with Fox News Digital. He also testified alongside National Museum of American History Director Anthea Hartig during congressional hearings in July.
The Smithsonian declined comment on Gonzalez’s report or his comments to Fox News Digital. Gonzalez argues the location decision matters because the Smithsonian already controls A&I, unlike the National Park Service sites previously under consideration. "They want to use this as kind of a ruse," Gonzalez said, arguing that the institution can avoid another congressional fight by placing the museum on property it already controls.
SMITHSONIAN: A TIMELINE OF HOW THE WHITE HOUSE FIGHT OVER 'WOKE' HISTORY UNFOLDED Gonzalez examined "¡Presente!," and argued that a series of panels reflected what he described as an anti-Western, anti-American worldview. He pointed to its use of the idea "we didn't cross the border, the border crossed us" as historically inaccurate and said it is a favorite mantra of those on the left who criticize immigration law enforcement. He said the language casts U.S. westward expansion primarily through the lens of displacement while obscuring the history of Mexicans who remained in territory acquired by the United States and later became American citizens.
"I guess your guest today would count as one of them," he said of himself. "Even though I don't… run around calling myself a Hispanic. I'm a proud American of Cuban heritage." SMITHSONIAN'S NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN HISTORY PROMOTES 'EXTREME POLITICAL ACTIVISM,' WH REPORT ALLEGES READ THE FULL HERITAGE FOUNDATION REPORT His report also highlights exhibits dealing with gender identity, immigration and the veneration of Marxist luminaries and political figures.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
