Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch Resigns Amid Trump Pressure
Lonnie G. Bunch III announced his resignation as the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, a position he occupied since 2019. Previously, he directed the National Museum of African American History and Culture from 2005. This decision comes amid backlash from the Trump administration regarding a March 2025 executive directive critiquing the institution's approach to historical narratives. This directive accused the Smithsonian of promoting a divisive racial ideology and imposed restrictions on funding for specific exhibits. Concurrently, Kevin Young, director of NMAAHC, is on an indefinite leave, while Kim Sajet of the National Portrait Gallery has also resigned amid controversy.
Key facts
- Lonnie G. Bunch III resigned as Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.
- Bunch admitted to the New York Times, 'It has been stressful.'
- Bunch became Secretary in 2019, after founding the NMAAHC in 2005.
- In March 2025, Trump issued Executive Order 'Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History' targeting the Smithsonian.
- The order prohibits spending on exhibits that 'degrade shared American values' and denies existence of trans women in American Women's History Museum.
- Section 4 orders reinstatement of monuments removed or changed since January 2020.
- Kevin Young, NMAAHC director, went on indefinite leave and left his post.
- Kim Sajet, National Portrait Gallery director, resigned after Trump claimed to fire her.
- Amy Sherald cancelled an exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery over censorship concerns.
- Bunch previously led the Chicago History Museum (2000-2005) and was first curator at California African American Museum in the 1980s.
- In 2000, Bunch curated 'The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden' at the National Museum of American History.
Entities
Artists
- Amy Sherald
- Lonnie G. Bunch III
- Kevin D. Roberts
- Valentina Di Liscia
- Anna Lee
- Lonnie Bunch
- Donald Trump
- Doug Bargum
- Vince Haley
- JD Vance
- John G. Roberts, Jr.
- Franklin D. Raines
Institutions
- Smithsonian Institution
- National Museum of African American History and Culture
- American Women's History Museum
- National Museum of American History
- National Portrait Gallery
- Chicago History Museum
- California African American Museum
- New York Times
- Heritage Foundation
- University of Texas at Austin
- New Mexico State University
- Washington Post
- Hyperallergic
- National Air and Space Museum
- Board of Regents
- Smithsonian Castle
- The New York Times
- Le Monde
- Smithsonian American Art Museum
- White House Domestic Policy Council
- American Alliance for Museums
- Artnet News
- Artforum
- Glasstire
- The Washington Post
- Yahoo! News
- Yahoo
Locations
- Washington, D.C.
- United States
- Washington