Lonnie Bunch to Retire from Smithsonian Leadership Amidst Clashes with Trump Administration
Lonnie Bunch is stepping down from his role as Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution at the end of the year, following a period of tension with the Trump administration. Since 2019, Bunch has led the Smithsonian, but his tenure has been marked by the administration's efforts to influence the portrayal of U.S. history by the Smithsonian museums and other cultural entities. A White House report two months prior to Bunch's announcement criticized the leadership of the Smithsonian Institution, particularly at the National Museum of American History, labeling them as 'radical activists' and questioning their ability to present history in an 'inspiring, unifying, and worthy' manner. This report led to President Trump ordering signs to be installed at the U.S. history museum, informing visitors that some exhibits were inaccurate. Anthea M. Hartig, the director of the National Museum of American History, publicly challenged these claims during congressional hearings, asserting that the report did not accurately...
