President Trump has proposed eliminating the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Institute of Museum and Library Sciences in his latest budget, citing a desire to reduce federal government size. This move rekindles efforts from his first term where similar proposals were blocked by bipartisan congressional support, which even led to increased funding for these endowments. The proposal has been met with strong opposition from Democrats, with figures like Senator Jack Reed and Representative Chellie Pingree vowing to fight the cuts, highlighting the critical role these endowments play in supporting arts and culture across the nation. The National Endowment for the Arts, which lacks a permanent leader since Trump's return to office, has faced disruptions, including the cancellation of grants for underserved communities and controversial requirements for grant applicants. Despite plans to shutter the arts endowment by fiscal year 2026, existing funds are being redirected to initiatives like the National Garden of American Heroes, aligned with President Trump's vision for celebrating American independence's 250th anniversary.

President Trump's budget proposal aims to eliminate the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Institute of Museum and Library Sciences, as part of efforts to decrease federal government size and reduce unnecessary entities.

In his first term, Trump also sought to remove these endowments, but bipartisan support in Congress prevented this and even resulted in budget increases for these organizations.

Democratic leaders, including Senator Jack Reed and Representative Chellie Pingree, have strongly opposed the proposed eliminations, emphasizing the endowments' importance in supporting arts projects nationwide and criticizing the administration's broader attacks on cultural institutions.

The National Endowment for the Arts, without a permanent leader since Maria Rosario Jackson's departure, has already seen significant changes under Trump's administration, including the removal of grants for underserved communities and contentious requirements for grant applicants.

Plans are underway to close the arts endowment by fiscal year 2026, while redirecting some of its funds to President Trump's National Garden of American Heroes, intended to celebrate the country's 250th anniversary of independence next year.