Smithsonian move reignites 'woke,' 'Marxist' criticism as Latino museum avoids congressional approval

The Smithsonian designated its Arts and Industries Building as the permanent home of the controversial National Museum of the American Latino, a move critics say will allow the institution to move forward without another congressional fight over a museum they argue should not exist.

The decision comes as the Smithsonian faces intensifying scrutiny over its historical exhibits.

Mike Gonzalez, a former Bush State Department official and longtime critic of the Latino museum, argued its inaugural exhibition promoted a far-left worldview and said selecting the Arts and Industries Building was an effort to avoid a contentious Capitol Hill battle.

"We need to fire the Smithsonian leadership," Gonzalez said.

"We need to get rid of the Latino museum.

It needs to be de-authorized.

It should not exist." WATCH: SMITHSONIAN DIRECTOR ADMITS SHE SEES HISTORY AS ‘TOOL’ OF ‘SOCIAL JUSTICE’ AFTER EXPLOSIVE HEARING Shortly after the interview, his wish partially came true when the Smithsonian's top official, Secretary Lonnie Bunch III, announced his retirement after four decades with the institution.

Gonzalez examined the Latino museum’s inaugural 2022 exhibition, "¡Presente!," in a Heritage Foundation report shared with Fox News Digital.

He also testified alongside National Museum of American History Director Anthea Hartig during congressional hearings in July.

The Smithsonian declined comment on Gonzalez’s report or his comments to Fox News Digital.

Gonzalez argues the location decision matters because the Smithsonian already controls A&I, unlike the National Park Service sites previously under consideration.

"They want to use this as kind of a ruse," Gonzalez said, arguing that the institution can avoid another congressional fight by placing the museum on property it already controls.

TRUMP V.

SMITHSONIAN: A TIMELINE OF HOW THE WHITE HOUSE FIGHT OVER 'WOKE' HISTORY UNFOLDED Gonzalez examined "¡Presente!," and argued that a series of panels reflected what he described as an anti-Western, anti-American worldview.