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Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch is stepping down from his position, the institution said Tuesday.

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Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch announced that he is stepping down as the institution he leads faces an escalating battle with the Trump administration over how it tells the American story. Geoff Bennett spoke to Bunch last week about the political pressure, what’s at stake for the Smithsonian and how he sees his legacy.

Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch announced that he is stepping down as the institution he leads faces an escalating battle with the Trump administration over how it tells the American story. Geoff Bennett spoke to Bunch last week about the political pressure, what’s at stake for the Smithsonian and how he sees his legacy.

PBS News

25,079 views • 5 days ago

Long time leader of the Smithsonian Lonnie Bunch announced he will retire at the end of the year after months of criticism from the Trump administration over the museums' portrayal of American history. The administration accused Smithsonian leadership of promoting divisive, left-wing messaging and threatened to cut federal support unless changes were made. Bunch said he is stepping down to begin a new chapter while continuing to defend the Smithsonian's historical mission.

Long time leader of the Smithsonian Lonnie Bunch announced he will retire at the end of the year after months of criticism from the Trump administration over the museums' portrayal of American history. The administration accused Smithsonian leadership of promoting divisive, left-wing messaging and threatened to cut federal support unless changes were made. Bunch said he is stepping down to begin a new chapter while continuing to defend the Smithsonian's historical mission.

Fox News

269,796 views • 5 days ago

Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch III, in charge of millions of artifacts, was asked which museum object was his favorite representation of America. His answer? Joseph Trammell’s Freedom Papers.

Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch III, in charge of millions of artifacts, was asked which museum object was his favorite representation of America. His answer? Joseph Trammell’s Freedom Papers.

60 Minutes

23,646 views • 7 months ago

WATCH: The Smithsonian Institution is driven by people who love America, not "left-wing, crazy people," says its outgoing leader, Lonnie Bunch, as the organization faces pressure from the Trump administration over how to portray American history. "I think that because the Smithsonian tells a fuller, more complicated story, that makes it hard for some people to understand what we do," he said. "It's really a place driven by people who love a nation and who basically believe, like I do, that the great strength of a nation is that it's aspirational," he added. Bunch, the Smithsonian’s first Black secretary, announced Tuesday that he is stepping down as at the end of the year. He sat down with PBS News' Geoff Bennett last week to talk about the political pressure he’s faced, what’s at stake for the Smithsonian and how he sees his legacy. Watch more of the interview on Tuesday’s PBS News Hour.

WATCH: The Smithsonian Institution is driven by people who love America, not "left-wing, crazy people," says its outgoing leader, Lonnie Bunch, as the organization faces pressure from the Trump administration over how to portray American history. "I think that because the Smithsonian tells a fuller, more complicated story, that makes it hard for some people to understand what we do," he said. "It's really a place driven by people who love a nation and who basically believe, like I do, that the great strength of a nation is that it's aspirational," he added. Bunch, the Smithsonian’s first Black secretary, announced Tuesday that he is stepping down as at the end of the year. He sat down with PBS News' Geoff Bennett last week to talk about the political pressure he’s faced, what’s at stake for the Smithsonian and how he sees his legacy. Watch more of the interview on Tuesday’s PBS News Hour.

PBS News

14,952 views • 5 days ago

Lonnie G. Bunch III, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, thanks First Lady Melania Trump for donating her 2025 inaugural ball ‌gown: "This is really a milestone in it’s own right. She is the first First Lady to be exhibited and represented by two inaugural gowns in the more than 100 years of this museum."

Lonnie G. Bunch III, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, thanks First Lady Melania Trump for donating her 2025 inaugural ball ‌gown: "This is really a milestone in it’s own right. She is the first First Lady to be exhibited and represented by two inaugural gowns in the more than 100 years of this museum."

Rapid Response 47

63,467 views • 6 months ago

“It scares me when people aren’t brave enough to face their history.” Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch has been criticized by the Trump administration, but he tells me his mission is unchanged: “We try to tell a complicated story that is driven by the best nonpartisan scholarship we have.”

“It scares me when people aren’t brave enough to face their history.” Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch has been criticized by the Trump administration, but he tells me his mission is unchanged: “We try to tell a complicated story that is driven by the best nonpartisan scholarship we have.”

Christiane Amanpour

49,661 views • 2 months ago

Yesterday, @Smithsonian announced the retirement of Lonnie G. Bunch III, founding director of our museum & 14th Secretary of the Smithsonian. His commitment helped create a national museum documenting a people’s journey & a nation’s story through the African American lens.

Yesterday, @Smithsonian announced the retirement of Lonnie G. Bunch III, founding director of our museum & 14th Secretary of the Smithsonian. His commitment helped create a national museum documenting a people’s journey & a nation’s story through the African American lens.

Smithsonian’s NMAAHC

35,709 views • 4 days ago

🚨 CHANGE IS COMING: For months, The Angle has exposed what we believe is radical ideological bias inside the Smithsonian and called for new leadership. Today, Secretary Lonnie Bunch announced he is retiring. The Smithsonian plays an enormous role in how generations of Americans understand our history. We stayed on this story. And we’re not done.

🚨 CHANGE IS COMING: For months, The Angle has exposed what we believe is radical ideological bias inside the Smithsonian and called for new leadership. Today, Secretary Lonnie Bunch announced he is retiring. The Smithsonian plays an enormous role in how generations of Americans understand our history. We stayed on this story. And we’re not done.

Laura Ingraham

134,034 views • 5 days ago

🚨 JUST IN: Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan is IMMEDIATELY stepping down from his position, Pentagon says — HUNG CAO is taking over as Acting Secretary Wow 👀 "On behalf of the Secretary of War and Deputy Secretary of War, we are grateful to Secretary Phelan for his service to the Department and the United States Navy." "Undersecretary Hung Cao will become Acting Secretary of the Navy."

🚨 JUST IN: Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan is IMMEDIATELY stepping down from his position, Pentagon says — HUNG CAO is taking over as Acting Secretary Wow 👀 "On behalf of the Secretary of War and Deputy Secretary of War, we are grateful to Secretary Phelan for his service to the Department and the United States Navy." "Undersecretary Hung Cao will become Acting Secretary of the Navy."

Eric Daugherty

444,234 views • 4 months ago

Karoline Leavitt has announced that she will be stepping down from her position as White House press secretary at the end of the month to focus on family. Leavitt was the youngest-ever White House press secretary.

Karoline Leavitt has announced that she will be stepping down from her position as White House press secretary at the end of the month to focus on family. Leavitt was the youngest-ever White House press secretary.

Al Jazeera English

63,891 views • 1 month ago

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is considering stepping down from his post by the end of the year, CBS News has learned. It comes after months of behind-the-scenes friction between him and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is considering stepping down from his post by the end of the year, CBS News has learned. It comes after months of behind-the-scenes friction between him and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Face The Nation

44,185 views • 21 days ago

Lonnie Bunch openly admitted that he worked to put DEI at the "center" of institutions like the Smithsonian. And he did it while raking in $4.4 million between 2020-2024. It's time for the Smithsonian to return to what it once was: A cherished organization promoting ideals that unify Americans.

Lonnie Bunch openly admitted that he worked to put DEI at the "center" of institutions like the Smithsonian. And he did it while raking in $4.4 million between 2020-2024. It's time for the Smithsonian to return to what it once was: A cherished organization promoting ideals that unify Americans.

Brandon Gill

47,568 views • 5 days ago

🚨 The Goal Is to RECAPTURE the Smithsonian Congressman Brandon Gill: “I would rather us continue funding it, but see the Smithsonian become the institution that the American people want it to be—which is an objective institution, one that promotes American history and culture.”

🚨 The Goal Is to RECAPTURE the Smithsonian Congressman Brandon Gill: “I would rather us continue funding it, but see the Smithsonian become the institution that the American people want it to be—which is an objective institution, one that promotes American history and culture.”

Laura Ingraham

139,397 views • 1 month ago

Secretary Pete Hegseth has asked Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, the service's top uniformed officer, to step down from his position and retire immediately, the Pentagon said Thursday. ABC News' Martha Raddatz reports.

Secretary Pete Hegseth has asked Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, the service's top uniformed officer, to step down from his position and retire immediately, the Pentagon said Thursday. ABC News' Martha Raddatz reports.

ABC News

43,169 views • 5 months ago

‘She has a very big future ahead of her.’ ‘She is a fighter, and she pushes back on the press.’ Hilary Fordwich and Mally Smith react to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stepping down from her position at the end of the month.

‘She has a very big future ahead of her.’ ‘She is a fighter, and she pushes back on the press.’ Hilary Fordwich and Mally Smith react to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stepping down from her position at the end of the month.

GB News

12,287 views • 1 month ago

Bill Ritter shared he's stepping down from his anchor position at ‘Eyewitness News’ after he was diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer's disease.

Bill Ritter shared he's stepping down from his anchor position at ‘Eyewitness News’ after he was diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer's disease.

E! News

23,009 views • 3 months ago

Don Mattingly is reportedly stepping away from his position as Blue Jays' bench coach, per Jon Heyman.

Don Mattingly is reportedly stepping away from his position as Blue Jays' bench coach, per Jon Heyman.

MLB Network

69,260 views • 10 months ago

On #TheAmanpourHour this week: • Julianne Smith recaps the NATO summit and the “new normal” of Iran tensions; • Smithsonian Sec. Lonnie Bunch joins amid recent White House pushback; • Fmr. UK PM Theresa May on the Salisbury poisonings & threats facing the West.

On #TheAmanpourHour this week: • Julianne Smith recaps the NATO summit and the “new normal” of Iran tensions; • Smithsonian Sec. Lonnie Bunch joins amid recent White House pushback; • Fmr. UK PM Theresa May on the Salisbury poisonings & threats facing the West.

Christiane Amanpour

27,635 views • 2 months ago

As America turns 250, “it’s really important that we have a commitment to telling the complete story of America,” Smithsonian head Lonnie Bunch tells me. “Our job is to say, how do we tell an accurate history… that challenges America to live up to its ideals?”

As America turns 250, “it’s really important that we have a commitment to telling the complete story of America,” Smithsonian head Lonnie Bunch tells me. “Our job is to say, how do we tell an accurate history… that challenges America to live up to its ideals?”

Christiane Amanpour

23,308 views • 2 months ago