Photo by from-the-window

Good morning, Washington. TBD has got the audio and transcript of Smithsonian Secretary Wayne Clough fielding questions yesterday during an event in Los Angeles. Despite the heated criticism he’s received for yanking a video from an exhibit in the National Portrait Gallery after social conservatives and their congressional allies complained, Clough defended himself and argued that what he did wasn’t censorship. (The City Paper has a statement released by Clough yesterday in which he claimed that his actions were “needed to sustain the long-term strength of an institution I care deeply about and to allow it to continue to serve its important educational mission.”) If you haven’t seen the video yet, it’s here, or you can head down to the Museum of Censored Art, a trailer parked outside the Portrait Gallery that’s screening the video.

Metro Police Vote No Confidence in Leader: The union representing the majority of Metro Transit Police officers passed a resolution last week expressing no confidence in Chief Michael Taborn, and asked Metro to remove him, writes the Post. The resolution criticized Taborn for ignoring the union’s collective bargaining agreement, not fixing police radios and failing to pay attention to officer safety, but did not mention Taborn’s most recent public relations snafu — the decision to search the bags of Metro riders and “observe” those that decline any searches.

Rhee Finally Bids D.C. Farewell: Michelle Rhee may have resigned from her position as D.C. Schools Chancellor last October, but she’s generally stayed around town while pursuing new projects. Well, the Post reports that her newest project, advocacy organization Students First, will be taking her all the way to Sacramento, where the group will set up shop. Rhee’s fiancee, Kevin Johnson, is Sacramento’s mayor.

D.C. Ranked Fifth Rudest City in Country: F**k you, Boston; F**k you, Baltimore; F**k you, Las Vegas; F**k you, Orlando; and F**k you, Dallas/Forth Worth. Los Angeles, New York, Philly, Miami — you’re cool. We’re out.

Briefly Noted: Twenty-five people arrested in connection to Manassas drug ring … Mayor Vince Gray appoints Stein Club president to head Office of LGBT Affairs … Virginia House wants to scrap mandatory HPV vaccines for girls … Two shot in Southeast.

This Day in DCist: On this day in 2009, the famous mingled with the folk at the Neighborhood Inaugural Ball and Pepsi somewhat shamelessly took advantage of President Obama’s inauguration for some advertising. And way back in 2008, Wonkette overhauled its staff and we all looked forward to a baby elephant.