Republicans demand answers from Smithsonian for kicking out pro-life students

FIRST ON FOX: On Jan. 20, The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum kicked out a dozen Catholic high school students and their chaperons for wearing beanies inscribed with pro-life messages. Now congressional Republicans are demanding answers. 

Representatives Chip Roy, R-Texas and Josh Brecheen, R-Oklahoma, have penned a letter along with over two dozen Republicans including Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Georgia., Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, and Rep. Debbie Lesko, R-Arizona, demanding answers from the Smithsonian. Senators Tim Scott, R-S.C., Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., Rick Scott, R-Florida, Mike Lee, R-Utah, Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Mississippi, Marco Rubio, R-Florida, Steve Daines, R-Montana, Roger Wicker, R-Mississippi, James Lankford, R-Oklahoma, and Mitt Romney, R-Utah, led the effort in the Senate. 

CATHOLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS KICKED OUT OF SMITHSONIAN MUSEUM IN DC OVER PRO-LIFE BEANIES

“Does the Smithsonian have any policy prohibiting pro-life sentiments from being expressed in its buildings or any policy deeming it a ‘neutral zone,” the letter reads. “What efforts have you taken to ensure that the First Amendment rights of all Americans are respected at the Air and Space Museum and an incident like this never occurs again under your leadership?”

Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, nominates Rep. Jim Jordan to be Speaker of the House before the third round of voting in the House chamber on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

“On January 20, 2023, thousands of Americans from across the country traveled to Washington, D.C. to participate in the March for Life. For many participants the occasion was inviting, warm, and educational,” The letter reads. “Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for a group of pro-life Americans from South Carolina. Following the march, students were allegedly harassed by Smithsonian Institute employees at the Air and Space Museum for their pro-life and human rights affirming apparel and were expelled from the building.”

The incident has caused an uproar among Republicans with some calling for the offending employees to be fired and the Smithsonian sued. “This is a DISGRACE. People need to be fired,” Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, tweeted. “This should’ve NEVER happened.”

CATHOLIC STUDENTS KICKED OUT OF AIR & SPACE MUSEUM FOR PRO-LIFE HATS: ‘WE HAD ALMOST NO WORDS’

One of the officers who asked the students to remove their headgear stated that it was on the grounds of the pro-life hats “not promoting equality.” One of the students pointed out another patron of the museum wearing a pride mask and asked why they were allowed to wear politically expressive apparel. The students eventually left after the exchange with the officer telling them they “don’t need to wear their hats to leave the building.” 

Patrons visit the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum for the public reopening of the museum’s west end galleries on the National Mall in Washington, U.S. October 14, 2022.  (REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst)

“Asking visitors to remove hats and clothing is not in keeping with our policy or protocols. We provided immediate training to prevent a re-occurrence of this kind of incident, and have determined steps to ensure this does not happen again,” said Alison Wood, the museum’s deputy director of communications.

Lawsuits are expected to be filed on behalf of the students. The Smithsonian is a federal entity that receives more than $1 billion in federal funds each year.

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