In Other News · United States

Source: Axios

Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) introduced legislation Wednesday that would direct the Smithsonian to preserve and display artifacts he said reflect the rise of "governmental propaganda" under President Trump.Why it matters: The bill will almost certainly fail in a Republican-controlled Congress. But it could preview how Democrats would scrutinize the president's use of taxpayer dollars to promote his image if they regain control in November.Trump's drive to remake D.C.'s physical and cultural landscape in his image can be seen in banners bearing his face on government buildings and attempts to rebrand institutions with his name.The administration also unveiled a plan last month to post warnings accusing Smithsonian leaders of pushing "personal, radical ideologies."Driving the news: Raskin's bill directs the secretary of the Smithsonian to collect and display Trump's sprawling portraits hung outside of federal agencies at the Museum of American History.It also calls for preserving signage or "artifacts" related to Trump's planned warning signs accusing the museum of "Ideological Capture."The proposed new exhibit would also include narratives from Americans "who resisted and opposed the rise in authoritarianism."It also calls for signage stating, in part, "Donald Trump ordered the installation of these signs without any Congressional authorization as required by the Constitution."What...