Congress EXPOSES Smithsonian’s taxpayer-funded woke rewrite of American history



Under the leadership of Anthea Hartig, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History is using taxpayer dollars to rewrite history in woke terms — and during a recent hearing, Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) called the museum out.

“The many examples of politicization of the museum are well-documented in the comprehensive report the White House Domestic Policy Council recently issued on July 4, the nation’s 250th anniversary,” Burchett began.

“The report makes clear that the museum’s woke exhibits and materials reflect a broader vision held by the museum leadership, particularly its director, Dr. Anthea Hartig,” he continued, noting that she “proudly takes credit for changing the museum’s mission statement.”


The mission statement “no longer uses the term ‘American history’ or refers to the infinite richness of that history.”

Instead, Burchett explained, it is “now guided by an interpretive plan that ensures all topics focus on the core issues of our time.”

“Do we want to guess what they are? Race and identity, gender and sexuality, environmental change, immigration and migrations, and economic inequality top the list. Also, a Center for Restorative Justice at the museum created under Dr. Hartig’s watch hosted a decolonization working group to investigate historical harms that result in ongoing systematic oppression,” he continued.

“To remove any doubt about her intentions, Dr. Hartig in her own words states that she views history as a prime tool of social justice,” he added, before playing a clip of Hartig giving a speech.

“Before we begin, let us pause to acknowledge with gratitude the native peoples on whose land we gather today. These are the ancestral homelands of the Piscataway people, joined by the Nacotchtank and the Pamunkey tribes and, of course, their descendants,” she said.

Hartig went on to give respect and gratitude “to all of them for the opportunity to work and to live in their territories.”

“It’s not their territories anymore,” BlazeTV host Pat Gray says on “Pat Gray Unleashed.”

“The peoples don’t own this land. In fact, their own ideology was that nobody can own land, right? So, it’s not theirs,” he adds.

Want more from Pat Gray?

To enjoy more of Pat's biting analysis and signature wit as he restores common sense to a senseless world, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

Politeness is white supremacy? Republican catches woke Smithsonian director in her own anti-white trap



The radical running the show at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History floundered during a congressional hearing when confronted with the anti-white propaganda pushed on her watch.

The White House's Domestic Policy Council released a lengthy report on Independence Day exposing the extent to which the NMAH has been captured by radicals and transformed into a vehicle for leftist revisionism and resentment.

'Is Mickey Mouse racist?'

On Tuesday, the Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency peeled the rotten onion further in an attempt to find out "how a once-proud American institution fell victim to ideological capture — and how to rescue it," according to Chairman Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.).

In addition to putting questions to a pair of academics and Heritage Foundation senior fellow Mike Gonzalez — who provided Blaze News with insights last year into the extremism behind the scenes at the Smithsonian — lawmakers grilled NMAH Director Anthea Hartig, a radical who regards history as a "prime tool of social justice," seeks to "get out of the 'America First' mentality" when telling history, and wants to shift attention in the museum away from an "Anglo-centric" focus on the American founding.

While Hartig struggled throughout the hearing, she had an especially difficult time answering the questions posed by Texas Rep. Brandon Gill (R).

Gill kicked things off by referencing the bizarre claims advanced in a document included in the NMAH-endorsed toolkit, which the Domestic Policy Council claimed was discussed at the museum and used to inform the "staff responsible for the development of NMAH's Interpretive and Collection Plans, educational resources, and exhibits of today."

RELATED: 'An attempt to turn back the clock': Woke historians melt down over exposé of Smithsonian's ideological rot

The document identified perfectionism, a sense of urgency, the prioritization of quantity over quality, politeness, paternalism, "worship of the written word," either/or thinking, individualism, objectivity, and other noble traits or actions as "characteristics of white supremacy culture, which show up in our organizations" and are "damaging to both people of color and to white people."

Screenshot - White House Domestic Policy Council, Saving America's Story

After having Hartig concede that objectivity is "one of the goals of history," Gill noted that the document promoted by the NMAH claims that "objectivity is a core and defining aspect of white supremacy culture."

"Do you think that it's the goal of the Smithsonian Institution to promote white supremacy culture?" asked Gill.

Hartig sought clarification on which document Gill was referring to, mumbled to herself, then said that the NMAH did not "develop" the toolkit. After frantically jotting down some notes, the propagandist claimed that the museum is "not promoting any ideology."

The congressman asked Hartig, "Is it important to be polite?"

"Yes, sir," said Hartig.

"It's also interesting because the same mass-action toolkit that your organization has been promoting references politeness as a defining characteristic of white supremacy culture," said Gill. "Ma'am, are you a white supremacist?"

"Hmm, no, sir," the radical responded, smirking.

During the hearing, Gill also asked Hartig, "Is Mickey Mouse racist?" citing the NMAH's characterization of the cartoon rodent as representative of "vestiges of longstanding traditions of blackface minstrelsy."

Hartig said that Walt Disney's mouse wasn't racist but told the Texas Republican that Mickey is nevertheless "rooted in minstrelsy" and that blackface minstrelsy had "certain and obvious racial overtones that have been well-documented."

The NMAH director said in her prepared remarks that the White House Domestic Policy Council's report "does not fairly characterize the full body of work at this museum. I am familiar with the depth and breadth of our collections, exhibits, and programming. And while I recognize there is always room for improvement, I also know the beauty, inspiration, and expertise that exists in our museum."

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Fork found in kitchen: SNAP may be paying for manicures, bongs, and an obesity epidemic — on your dime



In Columbus, Ohio, a retailer allegedly traded food stamp benefits for a glass bong and wine. In Rochester, a salon owner exchanged benefits for manicures. A U.S. Department of Agriculture employee allegedly sold $36 million worth of EBT access codes to various shops.

Federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program spending totaled $101.7 billion in fiscal year 2025 — roughly $279 million every single day.

'SNAP dollars, federal tax dollars, used to buy drugs and guns.'

Throughout 2025, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. granted waiver requests by nearly two dozen states restricting soda, energy drinks, and candy — affecting roughly 13.5 million recipients.

RFK Jr. framed the case: "We cannot continue a system that forces taxpayers to fund programs that make people sick and then pay a second time to treat the illnesses those very programs help create."

Last Monday, a federal judge blocked five of those bans. Biden-appointed U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson ruled only Congress can redefine what counts as food — with zero medical exemptions even for plaintiffs managing diabetes and kidney issues.

The remaining states' restrictions stay in place during the appeal.

Rollins called it the work of "an activist judge." "SNAP is for food — not sugar bombs fueling obesity, diabetes, and skyrocketing healthcare costs for low-income families," she posted on X Tuesday.

RELATED: Trump DOJ charges illegal aliens in Boston with nearly $1.5 million in welfare fraud

Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images

The full scale of what SNAP has become was on display at Thursday's House fraud hearing. Chaired by Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee focused heavily on state-level loopholes and systemic gaps.

Burchett asked why 21 states refused to hand over SNAP data — even after the agency identified $3 billion in potential fraud, including benefits to 186,000 deceased individuals and 442,000 with fake Social Security numbers. "There's no cohesive force between the two," he said.

"The computers just don't hook up."

USDA Inspector General John Walk testified that in one California operation dubbed "Mic Drop," over $2 million in SNAP benefits were used to buy crack cocaine from gang members. "SNAP dollars, federal tax dollars, used to buy drugs and guns."

Dawn Royal of the United Council on Welfare Fraud testified: "One address — a one-bedroom efficiency — had 27 SNAP and 12 Medicaid beneficiaries. ... This is the program we have fostered."

Rep. Brandon Gill (R-Texas) pressed Democrat witness Gina Plata-Nino, SNAP policy director at the Food Research and Action Center, on whether taxpayers should fund soda:

Gill: "Are you that ideologically dug in that you want our tax dollars paying for sugary sodas that you will not, in a straightforward way, admit that sugary sodas are not healthful for the American people?"

Plata-Nino: "I think that focusing on soda, when people are going hungry is —"

Gill: "Do you need data to determine whether drinking soda is healthy? ... Do you believe that perhaps drinking sodas every day is healthy?"

Plata-Nino: "The worst health outcome is hunger."

After doubting that hunger could be satiated "with Coca-Cola," Gill then asked if her organization is funded by companies that profit from SNAP. Plata-Nino said she could not comment.

Gill pressed further: "Yes. And they're profiting off of your advocacy. Do you think that that's a conflict of interest? I think most people think that's a conflict of interest. I know you don't want to answer."

Plata-Nino did not answer.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Grainy UFO files called a ‘deep-state classic,’ while mysterious object appears during Philippines volcano eruption



As the Pentagon continues releasing highly anticipated UFO files that so far span 80 years of sightings, the public continues asking why all of the video is grainy.

And Republican Rep. Tim Burchett (Tenn.) is one of them.

“The stuff they’re dropping right now is just — I mean, this is the deep-state classic,” Burchett said.

“You know, they won’t show y’all some of the stuff that we’ve seen. They’re going to show stuff that is easily identifiable,” he continued after the latest UFO files drop.


“So there obviously is footage of easily identifiable UFOs,” BlazeTV host Pat Gray says on “Pat Gray Unleashed.”

However, the newly released UFO files aren’t the only recent evidence of extraterrestrials.

Unlike the grainy footage in the UFO files, executive producer Keith Malinak plays one clip of a volcanic explosion in the Philippines — where a mysterious object appears after a meteor shoots behind the Mayon Volcano.

“Looks like a lightning strike almost,” Gray comments.

“So if later today you hear about aliens in the Philippines, well, now you understand why they originated there, because that’s where they landed,” Malinak says.

“Yeah, if you’re an alien," Jeff Fisher jokes, "you want to land in the Philippines."

Want more from Pat Gray?

To enjoy more of Pat's biting analysis and signature wit as he restores common sense to a senseless world, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

Why Isn’t The GOP Using FISA As Leverage For SAVE America Act?

'It’ll be a disaster in the implementation of it.'

GOP hard-liners derail government's spying power despite pressure from Trump



The House has failed to pass an 18-month extension of FISA after 20 Republicans defied President Donald Trump and tanked the late-night vote.

Republican leadership intended to extend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act through October 2027, but 20 GOP members blocked the extension in a 2:07 a.m. vote Friday, citing major privacy concerns. Due to growing frustration from conservatives, FISA was instead extended only through April 30 to give the conference more time to continue meaningful negotiations before approving a long-term extension.

'I am willing to risk that.'

These hard-liners are: Republican Reps. Sheri Biggs of South Carolina; Lauren Boebert of Colorado; Tim Burchett of Tennessee; Eric Burlison of Missouri; Michael Cloud of Texas; Andrew Clyde of Georgia; Eli Crane of Arizona; Warren Davidson of Ohio; Paul Gosar of Arizona; Andy Harris of Maryland; Diana Harshbarger of Tennessee; Thomas Massie of Kentucky; Mary Miller of Illinois; Ralph Norman of South Carolina; Andy Ogles of Tennessee; Scott Perry of Pennsylvania; John Rose of Tennessee; Keith Self of Texas; and Victoria Spartz of Indiana.

"Last night between midnight and 2am, they tried to pass two bad versions of FISA," Massie said in a post on X. "Both would have allowed Feds to unconstitutionally spy on Americans. We stopped both versions, but the fight isn’t over. Eventually, it was decided to give them two more weeks to fix FISA."

RELATED: Trump does shocking about-face on spying power weaponized against him and other Americans, now calls it 'VITAL'

Alex Wong/Getty Images

Republicans were well on their way to "fixing" FISA, with conservatives making progress on key requirements. Hard-liners insisted on meaningful warrant requirements and guardrails for central bank digital currency, a source familiar with the negotiations told Blaze News. A two-month extension was also floated in order to give Republicans more time to hammer out these crucial provisions.

Despite negotiations in good faith, this progress was thrown out the window in the 11th hour when a five-year extension with weak warrant requirements was put up for a vote, prompting hard-liners to tank the effort altogether.

This internal rebellion came about despite Trump's advocacy for a FISA extension because "it is extremely important to our Military."

"While parts of FISA were illegally and unfortunately used against me in the Democrats’ disgraceful Witch Hunt and Attack in the RUSSIA, RUSSIA, RUSSIA Hoax, and perhaps would be used against me in the future, I am willing to risk that as a Citizen in order to do what is right for our Country," Trump said in a Truth Social Post.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Seven GOP Reps Join Democrats To Extend Haitian Deportation Protections

Seven GOP House members voted in favor of extending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians ahead of a potential Supreme Court ruling on the matter. The Thursday vote to effectively grant amnesty and block deportation of roughly 350,000 Haitian migrants passed the House 220-207. 🚨 BREAKING: SEVEN House Republicans just voted to grant AMNESTY to 350,000 […]

House GOP subpoenas Pam Bondi over Epstein files



House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) issued a subpoena to Attorney General Pam Bondi Tuesday over her handling of the Epstein files.

The committee voted to approve the subpoena requiring Bondi to appear for a deposition over the Department of Justice's handling of the investigation and in compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act.

In the subpoena, Comer said Bondi's deposition could "inform legislative solutions" to improve the government's response to sex trafficking and to "reform the use of non-prosecution agreements and/or plea agreements" related to sex crimes.

'This subpoena is completely unnecessary.'

Although the subpoena refrained from harshly criticizing Bondi, it was ultimately greenlit on March 4 by committee Republicans who have expressed concerns about Bondi's leadership.

Every committee Democrat voted in favor of the subpoena, as well as Republican Reps. Nancy Mace of South Carolina, Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Tim Burchett of Tennessee, Michael Cloud of Texas, and Scott Perry of Pennsylvania.

RELATED: Joe Kent resigns from Trump admin, says Israel forced US into Iran conflict

Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

The DOJ called the subpoena "completely unnecessary," arguing that Bondi has "made herself available" to lawmakers with respect to the Epstein Files Transparency Act.

“This subpoena is completely unnecessary," a DOJ spokesperson said in a statement. "Lawmakers have been invited to view the unredacted files for themselves at the Department of Justice, and the Attorney General has always made herself available to speak directly with members of Congress."

RELATED: Watch: Bill Clinton defends Trump in Epstein deposition video

Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images

"She continues to have calls and meetings with members of Congress on the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which is why the Department offered to brief the committee tomorrow," the spokesperson added. "As always, we look forward to continuing to provide policymakers with the facts.”

Bondi is now called on to appear before the committee on April 14.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!