As White House Leans on Smithsonian, Little Uproar Over Board Vacancies
Why This Matters
The prolonged vacancies on the Smithsonian Institution's board, despite President Trump's public criticism, underscore the limited leverage the White House has over the institution's governance. This situation highlights the Smithsonian's unique status as a self-governing trust instrumentality, which grants it a degree of autonomy from direct presidential influence. The lack of congressional action to fill these vacancies further underscores the institution's independence.
For more than a year, President Trump has attacked the Smithsonian Institution. Typically, Congress would have confirmed new board nominees by now.
Curation & Context
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