Who is Lonnie Bunch? Smithsonian Chief Retiring Amid Trump Admin Strife
Summary
Lonnie Bunch, the first Black secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, announced he will retire at the end of 2026 after seven years in the role. His retirement follows a year of increased criticism from President Donald Trump’s administration, which accused some Smithsonian exhibits of political bias.Key Facts
- Lonnie Bunch has led the Smithsonian Institution since 2019.
- He is the first African American to serve as secretary of the Smithsonian in nearly 180 years.
- Bunch was the founding director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which opened in 2016.
- The Smithsonian includes 21 museums, the National Zoo, research centers, and educational programs.
- President Trump’s administration criticized the Smithsonian in 2023 for showing biased views in some American history exhibits.
- The White House demanded signs be placed outside some exhibits to claim the history was inaccurate.
- Bunch announced his retirement with no specific reason given, but it comes amid this political pressure.
- Senator Catherine Cortez Masto praised Bunch’s decades of service and commitment to history and culture.
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