Smithsonian Secretary Bunch Plans to Retire at End of 2026
Lonnie G. Bunch III leads the Smithsonian Institution. He announced plans to retire at the end of 2026.
Bunch has led the Smithsonian since 2019. He said personal reasons led to his decision.
He said he had considered retiring for about a year. Bunch said White House pressure did not cause his decision.
Still he admitted, "it has been stressful." The announcement came during criticism from the White House and Trump administration. They criticized how the Smithsonian presents US history including slavery exhibits.
The administration also demanded reviews of exhibits and content. But Bunch defended the institution's independence.
Bunch will stay as secretary through the end of 2026. He is the Smithsonian's first Black secretary. He helped create the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Key Terms 2
- Smithsonian Institution A group of US museums and research centers in Washington DC.
- National Museum of African American History and Culture A Smithsonian museum about Black history in America.