History's Lessons: Why the Smithsonian is Updating Its Impeachment Exhibit

The Smithsonian has decided to refresh an exhibit at the National Museum of American History. This exhibit is all about U.S. presidents and their impeachment stories. The change comes after some people noticed that references to President Trump's impeachments were taken out last month.

Sharing the Full Story

The Smithsonian says it's their job to share the full story. They want to make sure everyone knows about all the impeachment events in U.S. history. This includes:

• Trump's two impeachments
• Andrew Johnson's impeachment
• Bill Clinton's impeachment
• Richard Nixon's near-impeachment

Exhibit Update

The museum explained that the removed placard was temporary. It didn't fit well with the rest of the exhibit. It also blocked the view of other important items. The Smithsonian says they weren't asked by any government officials to take it down.

Now, the museum plans to update the exhibit soon. They want to make sure it tells the complete story of impeachments in the U.S. This way, visitors can learn about all the key moments in history.

Impeachment Details

It's important to note that:

• Trump was impeached twice:
• 2019: For trying to get Ukraine to investigate a political rival.
• 2021: For his role in the January 6th Capitol riot.
• Both times, the Senate acquitted him.
• Johnson and Clinton were also impeached and acquitted.
• Nixon resigned before he could be impeached.

Balancing Accuracy and Presentation

The Smithsonian's decision shows how museums balance accuracy and presentation. They want to share the full story but also make sure the exhibit looks good and is easy to understand. This update will help visitors get a clearer picture of impeachment in U.S. history.