Congressman Mfume’s Remarks at DOGE Subcommittee Hearing on American History and the Smithsonian

Image July 21, 2026 Press Release WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Rep. Kweisi Mfume spoke out against the Trump administration's attacks on Black history and on the Smithsonian Institution during a hearing on the House Oversight Committee's DOGE Subcommittee. In 2026, Congressman Mfume has consistently pushed back on the Trump administration's attempts to reshape the presentation of American history at federal museums, parks, and cultural institutions, as well as their efforts to deny, denigrate, and obfuscate African American contributions to our nation's history. Most recently, the Trump administration published a report on July 4th falsely accusing the museum of "extreme political activism." " Black people across this country are outraged at what is happening now with these efforts to do away with the African American museum and all of the Smithsonian," Congressman Mfume declared. "They are outraged because they have lived too many years, been through too many struggles, suffered too many bruises, and clearly have very, very, very little to show for that sojourn here in this country." "I want to be real clear about this: If you erase it, we will replace it," he continued. "It is that damn simple. We don't seem to learn – if anything we should be looking at history to learn, and to make sure that we are taking advantage of what we do learn." Image Click here to watch Congressman Mfume's full remarks. ###