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President Trump Calls for George Washington Statues and Exhibit at Smithsonian Museum

President Trump Calls for George Washington Statues and Exhibit at Smithsonian Museum

President Trump has publicly requested that the Smithsonian Institution install a colossal statue of George Washington outside the National Museum of American History and create a special exhibit honoring the nation's first president. In social media posts, President Trump specifically asked for an exhibit to run from now until February 22, 2032, marking the 300th anniversary of Washington’s birth. He also requested that an 11-foot statue of Washington, previously featured at the Freedom 250 IndyCar race, be placed in the museum's Flag Hall for Constitution Day on September 17. Furthermore, President Trump proposed replacing the existing 'Infinity' sculpture by Jose de Rivera, installed in 1967, with a 30-foot statue of Washington. He expressed concern that the museum currently omits Washington's crossing of the Delaware River from its narrative and suggested replacing the 'Center for Restorative History' with a 'Center for American Heroes.'
ARTnewsARTnews
Trump Demands ‘Strange Modernist’ Sculpture Be Replaced by George Washington Statue

Trump Demands ‘Strange Modernist’ Sculpture Be Replaced by George Washington Statue

The sculpture, which stands outside a Smithsonian museum, was the first work of modern art commissioned for the National Mall by the federal government.
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Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch Announces Retirement Amidst White House Pressure

Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch Announces Retirement Amidst White House Pressure

Lonnie G. Bunch III, the first African American and first historian to lead the Smithsonian Institution, has announced his retirement by the end of the year, concluding seven years as its 14th secretary and nearly 38 years at the institution. This announcement comes 11 days after Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and a White House Domestic Policy Council official reportedly warned the Smithsonian’s Board of Regents that federal agencies could not continue to support the institution "under current leadership." While Bunch, 73, stated his decision was his own and denied it was forced, his retirement follows an 18-month campaign by President Trump's administration to reshape how Smithsonian museums present Black history. This campaign included executive orders, content reviews, and threats to federal funding, which museum associations have condemned as unprecedented political interference.
ReutersReuters
U.S. imposes Iran-related sanctions on Russia's VTB

U.S. imposes Iran-related sanctions on Russia's VTB

WASHINGTON, Sept 14 (Reuters) - The United States imposed Iran-related sanctions Monday on Russia's VTB Bank Public Joint Stock Company, accusing it of involvement in Iranian sanctions evasion, the Treasury Department said as Washington seeks to ramp up economic pressure on Tehran.
AP NewsAP News
Some Democrats are recalibrating their approach to transgender issues as they seek a path to power

Some Democrats are recalibrating their approach to transgender issues as they seek a path to power

An increasing number of Democratic leaders have begun to push back against their party’s unflinching support for the transgender community this midterm season
USA TodayUSA Today
Kennedy Center pushes to add Trump's name. Should they? Tell us. | Opinion

Kennedy Center pushes to add Trump's name. Should they? Tell us. | Opinion

Do you agree with Trump's decision to rename Lake Ontario as Lake America? Does his name belong on the Kennedy Center? Share your opinion here.
USA TodayUSA Today
El Sayed, Michigan Democrats run against tariffs, Canada trade war

El Sayed, Michigan Democrats run against tariffs, Canada trade war

Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed and other Michigan Democrats talk to USA TODAY about the trade war with Canada as a campaign issue.
AP NewsAP News
Trump says he'll consider releasing 9/11 records after families' request

Trump says he'll consider releasing 9/11 records after families' request

President Donald Trump says he'll look into requests from families of Sept. 11 victims to release records that could shed light on Saudi Arabia’s alleged role in the attacks 25 years ago
ReutersReuters
Trump dismisses report China entities helped Iran before attack that killed US troops

Trump dismisses report China entities helped Iran before attack that killed US troops

ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE, Sept 13 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday brushed aside a report that Iran acquired satellite images of a base in Jordan from Chinese entities before an attack that killed three U.S. troops there in July.
ReutersReuters
Trump downplays report China entities helped Iran before attack that killed US troops

Trump downplays report China entities helped Iran before attack that killed US troops

ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE, Sept 13 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday brushed aside a report that Iran acquired satellite images of a base in Jordan from Chinese entities before an attack that killed three U.S. troops there in July.
Detroit Free PressDetroit Free Press
Calling Abdul El-Sayed 'antisemitic' avoids the real debate | Opinion

Calling Abdul El-Sayed 'antisemitic' avoids the real debate | Opinion

Abdul El-Sayed's U.S. Senate campaign has reopened an old fight over Israel, identity and who gets to speak out.