"The Board of Regents had reportedly decided on Lavizzo-Mourey and Fahey's potential replacements last year, but the list of names was never forwarded onto Congress."
"Given the Trump administration's recent moves to reorient the Smithsonian, the delay in appointments is unsurprising and may signal an attempt to exert greater control over the institution."
"In an executive order issued in March 2025 titled 'Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History', Trump tasked Vice President J.D. Vance with overseeing the removal of 'divisive, race-centred ideology' from the Smithsonian."
"Vance was to 'remove improper ideology' from the Smithsonian Institution and work with congressional Republicans to 'seek the appointment of citizen members to the Smithsonian Board of Regents committed to advancing the policy of this order.'"
The Smithsonian's Board of Regents has 15 members after the terms of Risa J. Lavizzo-Mourey and John Fahey expired. Their replacements are not yet announced. Denise O'Leary's term is set to expire soon, with three more regents' terms ending in autumn. No plans for replacements or term renewals have been made. The Trump administration's recent actions may influence the appointment process, as new members require approval from Congress and the President. An executive order from March 2025 aims to reshape the Smithsonian's ideological direction.
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