Smithsonian leader Lonnie Bunch to retire as Trump targets institution

Lonnie Bunch III announced Tuesday that he will step down as secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, a move that comes amid disputes between the Trump administration and the museum complex over how American history is portrayed. The announcement signals an upcoming change in leadership at the sprawling group of museums and research centers. Bunch, 73, made history as the Smithsonian’s first Black leader. He is also the founder of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, a major Smithsonian museum focused on the Black experience in the United States. His decision to retire arrives against the backdrop of tensions with the Trump administration, which has challenged aspects of how the Smithsonian presents narratives of American history. Those disagreements have put the institution’s interpretive choices and leadership into sharper focus. The announcement raises questions about the Smithsonian’s direction as it navigates both public debates over history and the institutional transition that will follow Bunch’s departure. Details about the timing of his exit and plans for succession were not provided in the initial report.