Lonnie G. Bunch III, Departing Smithsonian Secretary, Faced ‘Mounting Pressure Campaign’

Lonnie G. Bunch III is stepping down as secretary of the Smithsonian Institution by the end of the year. According to the New York Times, under his leadership, President Trump accused the Smithsonian of liberal, anti-American bias. Bunch had been leading the institution for seven years.

Bunch's departure comes amid repeated criticism from the Trump administration over how the institution depicts and describes historical events and figures. Hyperallergic reports that Bunch announced his departure with "very mixed emotions and heartfelt gratitude," stating that he leaves with pride and sadness, and with confidence in those who will carry the institution forward.

Bunch has had a storied career with the Smithsonian, dating back to the 1970s. He was the founding director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and previously worked as a curator at the American History Museum and an education specialist at the National Air and Space Museum. He was named the Smithsonian's 14th secretary in June 2019, becoming the first Black American and first historian at the helm of the institution.

Brief written by urgent.news from NYT Arts, Hyperallergic, ABC News (US), Deadline, Smithsonian — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.