Former Democratic staffers, DEI leaders shape Smithsonian leadership amid political firestorm
As Republicans intensify scrutiny of the Smithsonian Institution, numerous former Democratic staffers and employees of progressive nonprofits are holding senior positions throughout the nonprofit, while officials responsible for hiring emphasized diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. A Fox News Digital review of public biographies and social media profiles identified roughly two dozen individuals employed by the Smithsonian in leadership positions or as curators who worked for Democratic offices or progressive nonprofits before being hired.
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As Republicans intensify scrutiny of the Smithsonian Institution, numerous former Democratic staffers and employees of progressive nonprofits are holding senior positions throughout the nonprofit, while officials responsible for hiring emphasized diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. A Fox News Digital review of public biographies and social media profiles identified roughly two dozen individuals employed by the Smithsonian in leadership positions or as curators who worked for Democratic offices or progressive nonprofits before being hired. Leadership biographies and political donation records indicate the pattern extends beyond a handful of senior employees.That former Democratic staffers and individuals previously employed by liberal nonprofits now hold leadership positions at the Smithsonian is likely to further fuel conservative criticism that the sprawling museum and research organization has developed a left-of-center bias.TRUMP ORDERS SIGNS OUTSIDE SMITHSONIAN MUSEUM AMID ROW OVER ITS DEPICTION OF AMERICAN HISTORYIn recent weeks, Republicans have accused the Smithsonian, particularly its National Museum of American History, of promoting progressive ideology, emphasizing identity politics and giving insufficient attention to the nation’s founding and traditional historical figures. Republican lawmakers and the Trump administration also have criticized specific exhibits addressing gender identity, diversity and social justice, arguing that museum leaders have allowed political activism to displace the neutral presentation of history.These allegations follow years of DEI-centric leadership.Roshni Lal, the director of the Smithsonian’s office of academic appointments and internships — which has significant influence over staffing — has had a career-long commitment to advancing DEI in hiring, professional biographies show.Lal previously was the director of diversity, equity and inclusion for the Mountain Pacific Association of Colleges & Employers, where she oversaw policies, training and programming she characterized as anti-racist and rooted in social justice, according to her Smithsonian biography.
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- As Republicans intensify scrutiny of the Smithsonian Institution, numerous former Democratic staffers and employees of progressive nonprofits are holding senior positions throughout the nonprofit, while officials responsible for hiring emphasized diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. A Fox News Digital review of public biographies and social media profiles identified roughly two dozen individuals employed by the Smithsonian in leadership positions or as curators who worked for Democratic offices or progressive nonprofits before being hired.
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Former Democratic staffers, DEI leaders shape Smithsonian leadership amid political firestorm
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