Lonnie G. Bunch III, the first African American and historian to serve as the Secretary of the Smithsonian Museum, announced that he will step down at the end of ۲۰۲۶. With mixed emotions and deep gratitude, he has served in this position for seven years and has been active in the institution for nearly ۳۸ years. Bunch was appointed Secretary in ۲۰۱۹ and is recognized as the leader of the largest museum collection, education, and research in the world.
Political Pressures and Trump's Criticism
As Bunch prepares for his departure, political pressures and criticisms from Trump and Republicans in Congress have intensified. These groups have accused the Smithsonian of being tied to a liberal 'woke' ideology. A ۱۶۲-page report from the White House criticized the leadership of the Smithsonian for 'demeaning and excluding' white people, men, Christians, and Americans in educational content and programs. In July, Trump issued an order to install signs about 'ideological dominance' near the Museum of American History.
Leadership Changes and Management Issues
In late August, the U.S. Secretary of the Interior sent a letter to the Smithsonian Board of Trustees, bypassing Bunch and calling for an in-person meeting to address allegations of 'radical ideology.' The letter noted that the government 'cannot in good conscience' support the Smithsonian under its current leadership. In May ۲۰۲۵, Trump announced that he had fired the director of the National Portrait Gallery, Kim Sajet, for 'severe bias.' Although the Smithsonian claimed it had control over personnel matters, Sajet later resigned for reasons related to the museum's interests.
Additionally, Trump remains embroiled in issues related to his name at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. He added his name to the exterior of the center, but a court ordered its removal. However, Trump's appointed board members resisted this decision and voted in August to add the phrase 'renovated and restored by President Donald J. Trump' beneath Kennedy's name.
