• Lonnie Bunch announces his retirement from the Smithsonian Institution at the end of the year.
• Bunch faced ongoing criticism from the Trump administration regarding the portrayal of American history.
• As the first African American secretary of the Smithsonian, Bunch was instrumental in establishing the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
• He emphasized the need for accurate representation of America's complex history amidst political pressure.
• Bunch's departure comes after he defended the institution's mission amid accusations of political bias.

Lonnie Bunch, the secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, has announced his retirement effective at the end of this year, expressing "mixed emotions and heartfelt gratitude" for his decades-long service. Bunch stated, "I leave with pride and sadness, gratitude and joy, and with enormous confidence in the people who will carry this remarkable institution forward," highlighting his commitment to the Smithsonian and its future leadership, according to CBS News and Reuters.

Bunch's tenure has been marked by scrutiny from the Trump administration, which accused the Smithsonian of promoting a divisive version of American history. In July 2026, the administration issued a report criticizing the National Museum of American History for alleged "extreme political activism," further fueling a culture war narrative against the institution. Bunch defended the integrity of the museum in an email to staff, stating the commitment to "tell the fullness of America's story" had never wavered, according to NPR.