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Smithson Institution

Welcome to the Smithson Institution Welcome to the Smithson Institution Welcome to the Smithson Institution
1926 The Sunday Star, Washington D.C. Private Funding Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian Institution: A Private Charity

    Exposing Smithsonian Corruption

    Sunlight is the Best Medicine for Industrial Diseases - Louis Brandeis

    Welcome to the Smithson Institution website, a website dedicated to vindicating the last will and testament of James Smithson. Mismanagement and corruption have caused the Smithsonian Institution, the fruit of Smithson's bequest to become something the generous testator never intended, and that is a government institution. 

     

    Private charitable trusts had become a source of tremendous societal blessing and improvement as an expression of the national Christian faith under the kings and queens of England. The same charitable spirit blazed brightly in the New World, the United States of America, where James Smithson desired his institution for the 'increase and diffusion of knowledge' for the benefit of mankind to be established.


    This website documents the historic and legal facts surrounding the esteemed institution that have been forgotten and hidden over time. The Smithson Institution website will also serve as a contemporary lighthouse exposing the maladies that have infected the Smithsonian Institution today as well as serving as a platform for institutional whistleblowers to expose the darkness. 


    Julian Raven, the author of the book 'Odious and Cerberus: An American Immigrant's Odyssey and his Free-Speech Legal War against Smithsonian Corruption' has taken this mission upon himself. To defend and vindicate the property rights of the deceased, in the case of James Smithson belongs to the living. Sadly it is too easy for corrupt individuals with nefarious agendas to hijack another man's property when his is no longer alive to defend it.  You can learn more about Julian Raven at www.julianraven.com and www.odiousandcerberus.com.


    www.smithsoninstitution.com is not associated with the Smithsonian Institution.

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    To contact Julian Raven please click the link below.

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    The Smithsonian Institution's Ideal Ambiguity

    Argument

    Smithsonian Institution’s “Ideal Ambiguity”: Legal Inconsistencies and Julian Raven’s First Amendment Case

    The Smithsonian Institution, a revered public trust that safeguards America’s cultural and historical treasures, faces increasing scrutiny for its contradictory legal status. At the heart of the issue is its self-proclaimed "ideal ambiguity," a structure that positions it as both a private trust and a federally governed entity. This duality has led to legal inconsistencies that impact its accountability and constitutional obligations, as highlighted in artist Julian Raven’s ongoing litigation in 2017-CV-01240 TNM and 22-CV-2809 CRC.

    The Smithsonian’s Ambiguous Legal Identity

    A key passage from the Ideal Ambiguity chapter states:

    "The Smithsonian Institution is most certainly not a part of the federal government. It is a trust instrumentality, established for the benefit of the American public and grounded in English common law traditions." – Smithsonian Chancellor

    This statement underscores the Smithsonian's unique origins and operational independence, but it contradicts its reliance on $700 million in annual federal appropriations and governance by officials from all three branches of government. This hybrid model enables the Smithsonian to wield public authority while evading constitutional obligations—a central issue in Raven’s lawsuits.

    Julian Raven’s Fight for Free Speech

    Case Summary

    1. 2017-CV-01240 TNM:
      • The court ruled that the Smithsonian qualifies as a federal entity, yet it denied Raven’s claims under the First Amendment, citing the government speech doctrine. This paradoxical ruling left unresolved whether the Smithsonian is accountable for constitutional violations.

    1. 22-CV-2809 CRC:
      • In his ongoing case, Raven challenges the Smithsonian’s continued suppression of his speech, arguing that the institution’s reliance on the government speech doctrine violates his constitutional rights. Despite the Supreme Court’s clarification in Lindke v. Freed (2024) that public institutions performing governmental functions cannot avoid First Amendment scrutiny, the District Court has delayed issuing a ruling.

    Legal Contradictions and Constitutional Concerns

    1. Private Trust vs. Federal Agency

    While the Smithsonian claims its independence, federal courts and Congressional actions suggest otherwise. This inconsistency undermines its accountability and invites constitutional challenges. The Smithsonian Chancellor himself acknowledged:

    “The Smithsonian cannot and should not operate as an arm of the federal government, as its purpose is to serve the public, not governmental interests.”

    2. Separation of Powers Violations

    The Smithsonian’s governance by members of the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches raises serious concerns about the separation of powers doctrine. Such overlap contradicts the Constitution’s intent to keep branches distinct and independent.

    3. Government Speech Doctrine Abuse

    In Lindke v. Freed, the Supreme Court ruled that institutions using public authority cannot avoid First Amendment obligations. Raven’s case exemplifies the misuse of this doctrine, as the Smithsonian suppresses dissenting viewpoints while operating with taxpayer funding.

    Call to Action: Citizens, Media, and Lawmakers

    Julian Raven’s litigation highlights the urgent need to resolve the Smithsonian’s legal inconsistencies. Citizens, media, and lawmakers must push for:

    • Transparency: Clarify the Smithsonian’s legal identity as either a private trust or a federal agency.
    • Judicial Review: Encourage swift rulings on cases involving constitutional rights.
    • Legislative Reform: Reform the Smithsonian’s governance structure to ensure accountability and compliance with constitutional principles.

    Conclusion

    The Smithsonian’s unresolved legal status affects not just Julian Raven but every American taxpayer who funds its operations. By addressing these contradictions, Congress and the courts can ensure that this cherished institution fulfills its mission without infringing on constitutional rights.

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    James Smithson, benefactor of the Smithsonian Institution

    Smithsonian Institution History & Corruption Expose'

    A brief history of the Smithsonian Institution, documented in the archives of the Washington D.C. press.

    The Evening Star, January 12, 1907

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    Odious and Cerberus by Julian Raven

    Odious and Cerberus By Julian Raven

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