Lonnie Bunch To Retire

Lonnie G. Bunch IIILonnie Bunchhistorian, 14th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution announced Tuesday that he will retire as secretary of the Smithsonian Institution by the end of the year, ending a seven-year tenure atop the museum and research organization. Bunch, 73, has spent nearly 38 years at the Smithsonian and became its 14th secretary in 2019, the first Black person and first historian to hold the post. His departure follows months of Trump administration pressure over how Smithsonian museums present U.S. history, including demands for more “patriotic” framing. Bunch said he is leaving for personal reasons and wants more time with family and grandchildren.