WASHINGTON — Lonnie Bunch, the first Black person to lead the Smithsonian Institution, will retire at the end of the year following months of pressure from President Donald Trump’s administration over how the institution presents American history.
Bunch, who became Smithsonian secretary in 2019, announced his decision Tuesday, saying he was leaving with “very mixed emotions and heartfelt gratitude,” according to The Independent.
His departure comes after the Trump administration repeatedly criticized the Smithsonian and sought changes to its museums and exhibits. A White House report released two months ago accused Smithsonian officials, particularly those at the National Museum of American History, of promoting a distorted view of the country’s past. Bunch rejected the report’s conclusions, saying they were not a fair characterization of the institution.
The Independent reported that Trump also issued an executive order in July directing the National Museum of American History to post notices informing visitors that some exhibits contain inaccurate information. The administration escalated the dispute in August by threatening to withdraw federal agency support for the Smithsonian.
The Smithsonian operates independently of the executive branch, limiting the president’s ability to directly remove its leadership. Museum directors report to Bunch, while the secretary reports to the Smithsonian Board of Regents, which includes Chief Justice John Roberts, Vice President JD Vance, members of Congress and citizen members.
Roberts, who serves as Smithsonian chancellor, praised Bunch for pursuing excellence in telling the nation’s story.
