White House Pressure Stalls Several Smithsonian Regent Nominees on 17-Member Board
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 14
White House Pressure Stalls Several Smithsonian Regent Nominees on 17-Member Board
1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 14
Summary
Several recent nominees for the Smithsonian’s Board of Regents have not been sent to Congress, interrupting what had typically been a routine confirmation process.
The holdup appears tied to White House pressure on the institution as it fights for influence over the Smithsonian and its governing board.
The silence has been striking: Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III, other trustees, Chief Justice John Roberts Jr. and Congress have not publicly challenged the vacancies.
The vacancies matter because the 17-member board oversees the Smithsonian, with nine outside regents nominated by the board and confirmed by Congress for up to two six-year terms.