Lindsey Halligan, the White House official leading a review of the Smithsonian Institution, argued you "can't really talk about slavery honestly unless you talk about hope and progress" during a Newsmax appearance on Wednesday.

The White House is conducting a comprehensive internal review of exhibits and materials at the Smithsonian Institution in an effort to comply with President Donald Trump’s directive about what should and shouldn’t be displayed.

The president made the remarks in a social media post amid a White House review of Smithsonian museums and exhibits.