Icom defends the Smithsonian amid Trump's attacks

The International Council of Museums (Icom) has issued a statement of support for the Smithsonian, the vast American museum institution, as it faces repeated attacks from former President Donald Trump. The statement, reported by The Art Newspaper, marks a rare public engagement by the global body, which represents museum professionals in over 150 countries.

The declaration comes shortly after Icom updated its code of ethics, a key reference for museum practices worldwide. It also follows a similar statement made in July by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), which had already expressed support for the Smithsonian. Trump's attacks on the institution, which manages national museums and research centers in Washington, come amid political tensions over the role of cultural institutions.

Founded in 1846, the Smithsonian is one of the world's largest museum and research complexes, with 21 museums and the national zoo. Its educational and scientific mission makes it a strong symbol of American culture, explaining the scale of the controversy. Icom, headquartered in Paris, aims to promote professional standards and defend museums as public goods.

This stance highlights the growing concern of the international museum community over political interference in cultural institutions. As statements of support multiply, the next steps will depend on the evolving political climate in the US. Icom may also play a mediating role, but no concrete action has been announced so far. In the meantime, the museum world is closely watching the Smithsonian's resilience in the face of these pressures.

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Written by the ADM desk based on The Art Newspaper. Read the original article for the full story.