1619 Project

Lonnie Bunch III, the Smithsonian Institution secretary, earned over $4.4 million in base salary and benefits from 2020-2024. The Smithsonian uses private trust funds for executive pay to comply with federal caps, but federal taxpayers fund 60% of the institution. Bunch has promoted DEI as central to museum excellence and is associated with the 1619 Project, which faces criticism for historical inaccuracies.

Rep. Mike Carey questioned Smithsonian leadership about removing 'American history' from the National Museum of American History's mission statement, citing a shift to move beyond 'America-first mentality.' The debate reflects broader political tensions over how to portray U.S. history, with progressive leaders emphasizing social justice and conservative lawmakers opposing narratives they view as critical of national ideals.

Rep. Mike Carey questioned Smithsonian leadership about removing 'American history' from the National Museum of American History's mission statement, citing a goal to move beyond an 'America-first mentality.' The issue reflects broader political debates over national identity and historical narratives, with progressive museum officials emphasizing social justice and conservative lawmakers advocating for traditional American ideals.

Nikole Hannah-Jones, creator of the 1619 Project, argues that paying reparations for slavery would imply the entire existence of the United States is a crime. She made these remarks during an interview with The Meteor, emphasizing that American history is deeply rooted in slavery, which predates the country's founding by 150 years. The 1619 Project, developed into an educational curriculum, has faced backlash from parents and conservative lawmakers.

Christina Bohannan, a Democratic congressional candidate in Iowa, faces GOP criticism over past remarks calling Iowa 'backwards' for banning diversity training in schools and linking Revolutionary War leaders to slavery preservation. The race is a high-stakes rematch in a competitive district, with Republicans highlighting her DEI advocacy as divisive.

Christina Bohannan, a Democratic congressional candidate in Iowa, faces Republican criticism for past remarks calling the state 'backwards' without diversity training and linking Revolutionary War leaders to slavery preservation. Her comments, made on a 2021 podcast, are being weaponized in a high-stakes rematch against incumbent Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks in a competitive district.