Mace confronts Smithsonian chief on gender at Capitol hearing

During a House subcommittee hearing, Rep. Nancy Mace pressed Smithsonian National Museum of American History Director Anthea Hartig on whether men can become women; Hartig dodged, saying such questions aren’t relevant to the museum’s mission of representing all Americans. Mace criticized displays featuring drag queens and a glossary noting multiple genders, while Hartig argued the museum preserves and presents evidence without taking sides. The exchange unfolds amid a White House report alleging ideological activism at the Smithsonian.