Lonnie Bunch to Retire as Secretary of the Smithsonian

Lonnie Bunch, the well-regarded secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, announced his retirement effective at the end of the year. This comes amidst increasing criticism from the Trump administration. In a Tuesday statement, Bunch expressed his mixed feelings, acknowledging both pride and gratitude as well as sadness and joy over his decision.

Bunch stated, “I have spent nearly half of my life working at and being part of the Smithsonian family, and what a privilege it has been.” With 38 years at the institution, Bunch emphasized his confidence in the people carrying the Smithsonian forward.

He clarified to The New York Times that his choice to retire was not linked to conflicts with the administration, acknowledging stress and expressing a desire to start mornings without checking his cellphone.

Bunch, 73, co-founded the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, which opened in 2016.

As the museum’s initial executive director, Bunch became the Smithsonian’s secretary in 2019, a historic first for an African American in its 173-year history. Chief Justice John Roberts, acting as chancellor of the Smithsonian, stated how Bunch’s leadership enriched the institution. He confirmed plans for a smooth transition with Bunch’s successor.

Since the start of President Trump’s second term in 2025, the Smithsonian has faced scrutiny. In March 2025, Trump issued an executive order demanding changes, labeling certain ideologies as improper. Key targets included eight museums, notably the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of American History, and the National Portrait Gallery. The administration’s reviewers assessed exhibits and curatorial processes.

In July, Trump mandated signage corrections at the National Museum of American History to address perceived inaccuracies about American history. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum criticized Smithsonian leadership for supporting a “radical institutional ideology,” warning that it undermines America’s shared identity and heritage.

The Smithsonian encompasses 21 museums, 20 libraries, research centers, and the National Zoo. Bunch began his Smithsonian tenure in 1978 at the National Air and Space Museum, later holding curatorial and leadership roles at the National Museum of American History until 2000. He returned in 2005 to establish the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

In a 2019 CBS “Sunday Morning” interview, Bunch stated, “The Smithsonian is part of the glue that holds the country together.” He highlighted the unifying aspect of culture, noting it can both divide and connect people but ultimately provides common ground.