It was founded as a gift by James Smithson, who devised his entire estate to the United States government. Congress, as we now know, accepted this gift and provided for its governance and its financing. The Smithsonian Institution operates as a trust, which means that it is an executive agency of the United States Government and is chaired by 17 member board of Regents. But since its original founding in 1846, something has gone terribly wrong with the direction of the Smithsonian. (03:14–03:31)
CLAIM
Asserts that the Smithsonian Institution operates as a trust and is an executive agency of the U.S. Government.
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