Lonnie G. Bunch III, the first Black secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, announced his resignation on Tuesday amid increasing political pressure from the White House, according to historians and colleagues. His decision to step down follows a series of executive orders from President Donald Trump’s administration that accused the Smithsonian of promoting liberal bias and exhibiting anti-American perspectives.
Since the start of Trump’s second term, the White House has intensified scrutiny of the institution, describing Bunch as a “Democrat donor and rabid partisan.” Requests for comment from the administration following Bunch’s announcement were not immediately returned.
Experts and supporters noted that Bunch navigated the Smithsonian through contentious political terrain with diplomacy and commitment. Samuel J. Redman, a history professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, characterized Bunch’s tenure as marked by “candor, bravery and thoughtfulness,” but acknowledged the limitations imposed by mounting political pressures.
Bunch himself described his time leading the institution as “stressful” during an interview on the day of his resignation. Since being appointed secretary in 2019, he oversaw the Smithsonian’s 21 museums, research centers, and the National Zoo, building on earlier achievements such as playing a key role in the 2016 opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Advocates praised Bunch’s leadership in preserving the Smithsonian’s reputation as a premier cultural and historical institution with broad congressional support. Sarah Weicksell, executive director of the American Historical Association, expressed concern that his departure could open the door for increased political influence over the Smithsonian’s future leadership and governance. “That’s a testament to Bunch’s commitment to protecting the Smithsonian’s independence and Americans’ ability to know the entirety of their past,” she said.
However, Bunch faced criticism from conservative voices who welcomed his exit. Mike Gonzalez, a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation, described the resignation as overdue and called for a successor “who loves America and understands the triumphs that this country has had in its 250-year history.” Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri publicly welcomed Bunch’s departure, urging him on social media to “return his salary to the American people.”
Conversely, many colleagues and public figures recognized Bunch’s significant contributions. Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. highlighted Bunch’s understanding that Black history is integral to American history and credited him with creating spaces for inclusive storytelling. Rhea L. Combs, former director of curatorial affairs at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, noted a “collective sigh and sense of sadness” among staff, praising Bunch’s visionary leadership and mentorship.
Senator Alex Padilla of California, the ranking Democrat on the Senate committee overseeing the Smithsonian, commended Bunch for prioritizing “truth and accuracy over politics.” Filmmaker Ava DuVernay expressed regret that political disputes may have hastened his departure, calling it “a profound loss for those who care about America’s history, not its fantasy.”
Bunch’s resignation underscores the Smithsonian’s role at the center of ongoing cultural and political debates, raising questions about how the institution’s future direction will be shaped amid growing partisan tensions.