President Donald Trump on Tuesday directed White House lawyers to open a formal review of the Smithsonian Institution and other federally funded museums, describing them as the “last remaining segment of woke” culture. In a post on his Truth Social platform, he complained that exhibits dwell on “how bad slavery was” and ordered the same legal strategy that his administration has used against universities he says promote divisive ideology. A White House letter sent last week to Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch asked the 179-year-old complex — which oversees 21 museums, galleries and the National Zoo — to provide exhibition plans, curatorial guidelines and America 250 programming materials within 30 days and to implement any required content changes within 120 days. Officials said the goal is to ensure displays highlight “unity, progress and enduring values” ahead of the United States’ 250th birthday in 2026, and signaled that federal funding could be at risk if institutions do not comply. The move mirrors probes that have already forced concessions from colleges. In July the government settled investigations with Columbia University, which agreed to pay $221 million, and Brown University, which will pay $50 million, while talks with Harvard continue. Civil-rights advocates say applying similar pressure to museums threatens their independence and could whitewash critical chapters of American history; presidential historian Douglas Brinkley called the criticism of slavery exhibits “the epitome of dumbness.” The Smithsonian, which receives most of its budget from Congress and traditionally operates at arm’s length from the executive branch, declined to comment on the directive. No timeline has been given for the review’s completion, but administration officials said “all options” remain on the table to “get the woke out of the Smithsonian and hold them accountable.”