Lonnie G. Bunch III, the secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, announced on Tuesday that he will step down from his role by the end of the year, concluding nearly eight years at the helm of the world’s largest museum and research complex. Bunch, 73, cited the natural conclusion of his tenure rather than pressure from ongoing tensions between the Smithsonian and the Trump administration, which has criticized the institution over its portrayal of American history.
Bunch became the first African American and first historian to serve as Smithsonian secretary when he took office in 2019. Prior to this, he was well known as the founding director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which opened in 2016 and has since attracted millions of visitors. His leadership at the Smithsonian has been marked by efforts to balance historical complexity with a commitment to inclusivity, even as the institution faced mounting scrutiny from political figures who accuse it of promoting divisive or overly critical narratives about the nation’s past.
In recent years, the Smithsonian has been the focus of intense criticism from President Donald Trump and his administration. Trump and senior officials have argued that the institution’s museums, particularly the National Museum of American History, emphasize what they characterize as a negative view of American values and history, highlighting issues of race, identity, and social injustice. The White House has accused the Smithsonian of engaging in “radical activist ideology” and altering historical narratives to fit a liberal agenda. In July, the administration released a detailed report condemning the Smithsonian’s exhibitions for allegedly undermining faith in American institutions.
The Trump administration’s efforts included demands for increased oversight of museum content, calls for changes in leadership, and threats to withhold cooperation and funding tied to federal agencies. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and White House adviser Vince Haley issued a joint letter to the Smithsonian’s Board of Regents in late August warning that federal support could be withdrawn if changes were not made. Additionally, the National Park Service was enlisted to place temporary signs warning visitors of supposedly biased information inside some Smithsonian museums, though these signs remain largely uninstalled.
Despite the escalating political pressure, Bunch maintained the institution’s scholarly integrity and its independence from the executive branch. He defended the Smithsonian’s mission to provide nuanced and multifaceted interpretations of American history. He described his time as secretary as stressful but expressed no regrets, saying his goal was to protect the institution rather than to seek personal comfort.
The Smithsonian is governed by a 17-member Board of Regents, led by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., who also serves as the institution’s chancellor. Roberts praised Bunch’s leadership, commending his dedication to telling the nation’s story with wisdom and vision. The Board of Regents is expected to appoint an acting chief to oversee the Smithsonian’s 21 museums, 20 libraries, the National Zoo, and its scientific research centers as it searches for a permanent successor.
Bunch indicated that his next steps will likely involve teaching or a fellowship. He underscored the importance of confronting American history in all its complexity and warned against efforts to sanitize or diminish the past. “Americans are an amazingly brave people,” he said, “They’ve got to be brave enough to face their own history.” His departure marks a significant transition for the Smithsonian amid ongoing national debates about culture, history, and the role of public institutions in shaping collective memory.