The Legacy that Smithsonian Head Lonnie Bunch Leaves
Bunch said he is leaving after 38 years and will keep defending the Smithsonian’s independence as the institution faces Trump administration pressure.
- On Tuesday, Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch III announced he will retire at the end of the year, concluding a seven-year tenure leading the institution.
- His departure follows intense scrutiny from Trump, who accused museum leadership of "extreme political activism" in a July White House report, though Bunch told The Wall Street Journal the decision is unrelated to political pressure.
- Bunch, the first historian and African American to lead the Smithsonian, has spent 38 years with the organization, including serving as founding director of the African American Museum.
- Led by Chief Justice John Roberts, the 17 members of the Board of Regents will appoint a successor as the Smithsonian seeks to maintain its independence amid ongoing criticism.
- As he becomes a private citizen in January, Bunch emphasized that the Smithsonian's strength lies in articulating complex American history, a mission he insists must remain independent.
21 Articles
21 Articles
Why the DuSable Museum should pursue Lonnie Bunch III as its new leader
By Erick Johnson There may be a major job opening soon for president and CEO at the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center. One potential candidate the Board of Trustees should pursue and interview is Lonnie Bunch III, the nation’s first Black Secretary of Smithsonian who announced his retirement this week. With his impressive […]
Lonnie Bunch Retires as Smithsonian Chief After Trump Pressure
Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch III is stepping down after more than a year of escalating conflict with the Trump White House over accusations that the institution had been captured by progressive ideology. Bunch, 73, announced his retirement effective at the end of 2026, closing out seven years atop the nation's largest museum and research complex. […]
Republican Lawmakers Say 'Good Riddance' as DEI-Focused Smithsonian Head Quits
After Lonnie Bunch announced his retirement as Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution this week, GOP lawmakers criticized him for pushing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policies while receiving a large government […]
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