After seven transformative years at the helm of the Smithsonian Institution, Secretary Lonnie Bunch has announced his resignation. Bunch, who has been a part of the Smithsonian for nearly 38 years has been a pivotal figure in shaping the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex. His departure comes amidst escalating political tensions, particularly with the Trump administration which has accused the Smithsonian of presenting a radical view of American history.
In a heartfelt statement to ABC News Bunch expressed his deep love for the Smithsonian and his commitment to defending the institution’s integrity. “I have fought for as long as I can. I love this country and I love the Smithsonian and I will always work to defend our more perfect Union,” he said. Bunch’s resignation marks the end of an era, leaving behind a legacy of significant achievements and a complex political landscape.
Bunch’s Legacy and the Political Climate
Lonnie Bunch’s tenure as Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution has been marked by both accomplishments and challenges. Appointed in June 2019 he became the first African American and first historian to hold the position. Under his leadership, the Smithsonian has continued to be a beacon of science, history, art, and culture offering the public a wealth of knowledge and understanding.
However, Bunch’s tenure has not been without controversy. The Trump administration has been vocal in its criticism of the Smithsonian, particularly the National Museum of American History (NMAH). In a 162-page report released in July the White House accused the Smithsonian of engaging in extreme political activism and presenting a radical view of American history. The report was a result of a review launched in response to President Donald Trump’s March 27, 2025 executive order, “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History.”
The White House’s Criticism and Smithsonian’s Response
The White House report took aim at the Smithsonian’s leadership, accusing it of adopting an ideological framework that no longer treats the American story as a shared national inheritance. The report argued that materials casting America in a negative light have no place in federal cultural institutions. In response, Anthea Hartig Director of NMAH, testified before Congress, asserting that the museum does not take sides in political debates.
“Our work is governed by the Smithsonian standards of scholarship, accuracy, independence, and nonpartisanship,” Hartig said. “The museum does not take sides in America’s political debates. We preserve and document the evidence of American life in all of its breadth, so that the public can encounter the past and draw their own conclusions.”
The Future of the Smithsonian
As Lonnie Bunch steps down, the Smithsonian Institution faces a period of transition. The institution is overseen by a 17-member governing body, known as the Board of Regents. Franklin D. Raines chair of the Board of Regents, stated that board members will announce an acting secretary as they begin a national search for Bunch’s successor.
“I have had the honor of working with Lonnie Bunch for more than two decades,” Raines said. “I have seen firsthand how Secretary Bunch’s leadership of our 21 museums and the National Zoo has illuminated the nation’s past, opened pathways to new knowledge and powered creativity and innovation.”
Bunch’s resignation comes at a critical time for the Smithsonian. The institution has been a target of political scrutiny, with the White House ordering new signage and exhibits to correct what it deems as inaccurate information. Despite these challenges, Bunch remains optimistic about the future of the Smithsonian, stating that it will always be a place that welcomes all Americans and the world.
