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Lonnie Bunch news
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Lonnie Bunch, 73, will retire as Smithsonian secretary at year's end after 38 years of service.
His exit leaves the Smithsonian facing White House pressure over how it tells American.
Background
Lonnie Bunch, the first African American secretary of the Smithsonian, announced his retirement on September 8, 2026, effective at the end of the year. His tenure was marked by escalating criticism from the Trump administration over how the institution portrays American history, including executive orders and threats to withhold funding. Bunch co-founded the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which opened in 2016, and became secretary in 2019.
How it unfolded
- 2016Bunch co-founded and opened the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
- 2019Bunch became secretary of the Smithsonian, the first African American in the role.
- recentlyThe Trump administration issued executive orders and memos criticizing the Smithsonian and threatened to withhold funding over its portrayal of history.
- Sep 8, 2026Bunch announced his retirement, effective at year's end, saying the decision was not due to administration pressure.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Bunch said 'now's the time' and that the pressure played no role in his decision, vowing to defend the institution's independence until he leaves.
- Analysts
- His exit leaves a vacuum at the top as the Smithsonian faces escalating White House efforts to influence its work.