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Smithsonian secretary to retire as Trump seeks to remake institution

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Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch resigns amid attacks from Trump administration

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"It [2026 Midterms]'s going to be dominated by what party is making you safe and prosperous. It's not going to be dominated by subsidies [Trump's presidential actions]. It's going to be dominated by the big stuff."

“A chunk of [GOP voters] who put them in power in 2024 are Trump-specific voters; they will vote GOP down ballot when Trump is running but won’t turn out to vote for a typical congressman in a midterm when Trump isn’t running.”

"As we have seen, the president’s party almost always loses ground in the midterm election following his victory... [but] if Republicans are to have a serious chance of retaining control of the House, President Trump will have to improve his job approval significantly."

"If legal immigrants begin to be deported without having committed any crime [by Trump admin], get ready for Republicans to lose the [2026] midterms by a landslide."

“The President will help his Republican friends on Capitol Hill get reelected [in 2026 Midterms], and work to pick up new seats across the country.”

"President Trump is the main event for the party [2026 midterms]."

"Republicans have reason to worry that the president’s political decline will affect their performance in next year [2026]’s midterm elections."

“All these people that he [Trump] helps — he doesn’t help everybody — but for those he does, he’s a difference maker, and he’s certainly a turnout machine.”

"Whether congressional GOPers can turn things around for the ‘26 midterms is more dependent on Trump than ever."

“All of the kinds of things [Trump's] doing now will result in him losing—certainly losing the House of Representatives."

"What’s crazy is that the 2026 midterms are entirely in Trump’s control."

"The success or failure of the Grand Old Party (GOP) next year [2026 US Midterms] will be decided on the strength or weakness of President Trump’s coattails."

Will Donald Trump be a Primary Voting Factor in the 2026 US Midterms?

Lonnie G. Bunch III announced Tuesday that he will retire as secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, saying he leaves "with very mixed emotions and heartfelt gratitude." The Smithsonian said he is expected to depart by the end of the year.

Lonnie G. Bunch III announced Tuesday that he will retire as secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, saying he leaves "with very mixed emotions and heartfelt gratitude." The Smithsonian said he is expected to depart by the end of the year.

Bunch, 73, said in interviews that pressure from the Trump administration did not prompt his exit, telling The New York Times it was "really just saying, now's the time." He also said the role had been stressful.

Bunch, 73, said in interviews that pressure from the Trump administration did not prompt his exit, telling The New York Times it was "really just saying, now's the time." He also said the role had been stressful.

Bunch has worked at the Smithsonian for 38 years and became secretary in 2019, the first Black person and first historian in the post. He was founding director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which opened in 2016.

Bunch has worked at the Smithsonian for 38 years and became secretary in 2019, the first Black person and first historian in the post. He was founding director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which opened in 2016.

The Trump administration warned the Smithsonian this month that federal agencies could halt support over alleged violations of antidiscrimination law. The institution receives roughly $1 billion in annual federal funding.

The Trump administration warned the Smithsonian this month that federal agencies could halt support over alleged violations of antidiscrimination law. The institution receives roughly $1 billion in annual federal funding.

In July, the White House Domestic Policy Council released a 162-page report accusing the National Museum of American History of "extreme political activism." The Organization of American Historians condemned the report, and Bunch defended the museum.

In July, the White House Domestic Policy Council released a 162-page report accusing the National Museum of American History of "extreme political activism." The Organization of American Historians condemned the report, and Bunch defended the museum.

Trump signed an executive order in March 2025 directing Vice President JD Vance to remove "improper, divisive, or anti-American ideology" from the Smithsonian. Vance sits on the Board of Regents, which will select the next secretary.

Trump signed an executive order in March 2025 directing Vice President JD Vance to remove "improper, divisive, or anti-American ideology" from the Smithsonian. Vance sits on the Board of Regents, which will select the next secretary.

Smithsonian’s Secretary to Resign as Trump Tries to Rule the Institution

Smithsonian’s Secretary to Resign as Trump Tries to Rule the Institution

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Smithsonian’s Secretary to Resign as Trump Tries to Rule the Institution

Smithsonian’s Secretary to Resign as Trump Tries to Rule the Institution

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