Trump administration threatens federal funding to Smithsonian over anti-discrimination claims

In early September 2026 the Trump administration sent the Smithsonian Institution a letter alleging its diversity programmes violate federal anti-discrimination law and warning it may withhold federal grants, Reuters reported. Congressional appropriations — federal money allocated by Congress — supply roughly two-thirds of the Smithsonian's budget, covering staff, maintenance and research at its Washington, D.C. museums.