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Lonnie G. Bunch III announced Tuesday that he will retire as secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, saying that he leaves "with very mixed emotions and heartfelt gratitude." The Smithsonian said that he's 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 that he leaves "with very mixed emotions and heartfelt gratitude." The Smithsonian said that he's 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.

U.S. President Donald 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.

U.S. President Donald 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.

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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.

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.

Losing Lonnie Bunch is a gut punch to American culture, and it happened because an administration couldn't stomach an honest telling of slavery and this country's past. The first Black secretary of the Smithsonian built something extraordinary, and now his replacement gets picked under political pressure. Dozens of frozen museum posts hang in the balance, which means the damage runs far deeper than one job.

Losing Lonnie Bunch is a gut punch to American culture, and it happened because an administration couldn't stomach an honest telling of slavery and this country's past. The first Black secretary of the Smithsonian built something extraordinary, and now his replacement gets picked under political pressure. Dozens of frozen museum posts hang in the balance, which means the damage runs far deeper than one job.

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Good riddance — the Smithsonian had drifted into a taxpayer-funded showcase for DEI dogma and gender ideology instead of American history. The troubling material pulled from those exhibits shows how far the institution strayed from its mission to celebrate the best of this nation. New leadership can finally tell America's story accurately, and it should be run by someone who actually loves the country.

Good riddance — the Smithsonian had drifted into a taxpayer-funded showcase for DEI dogma and gender ideology instead of American history. The troubling material pulled from those exhibits shows how far the institution strayed from its mission to celebrate the best of this nation. New leadership can finally tell America's story accurately, and it should be run by someone who actually loves the country.

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Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch to Retire Amid Pressure

Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch to Retire Amid Pressure

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This is a gut punch to American culture, and it happened because the Trump administration couldn't stomach an honest telling of slavery and this country's past. The first Black secretary of the Smithsonian built something extraordinary, and now his replacement gets picked under political pressure. Dozens of frozen museum posts hang in the balance, meaning that the damage will run far deeper than one job.

This is a gut punch to American culture, and it happened because the Trump administration couldn't stomach an honest telling of slavery and this country's past. The first Black secretary of the Smithsonian built something extraordinary, and now his replacement gets picked under political pressure. Dozens of frozen museum posts hang in the balance, meaning that the damage will run far deeper than one job.

It's about time Bunch quit. The Smithsonian has drifted into a taxpayer-funded showcase for DEI dogma and gender ideology instead of American history. The troubling material pulled from those exhibits shows how far the institution strayed from its mission to celebrate the best of this nation. New leadership can finally tell America's story accurately, and it should be run by someone who actually loves the country.

It's about time Bunch quit. The Smithsonian has drifted into a taxpayer-funded showcase for DEI dogma and gender ideology instead of American history. The troubling material pulled from those exhibits shows how far the institution strayed from its mission to celebrate the best of this nation. New leadership can finally tell America's story accurately, and it should be run by someone who actually loves the country.

Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch to Retire

Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch to Retire Amid Pressure

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Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch to Retire

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