Head of Smithsonian museums announces he will be stepping down

What the report says

Lonnie Bunch, secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, said he will step down by the end of the year, Al Jazeera reported on September 8, 2026. The Smithsonian oversees a large network of museums and research centers, many of them on Washington, DC’s National Mall and visited by millions each year. Bunch has led the institution since 2019 and was the first African American to hold the post.

Al Jazeera said his departure comes after sustained pressure from President Donald Trump’s administration, which has criticized the Smithsonian’s treatment of topics such as racism, colonialism and slavery. The administration has also accused the institution of reflecting “anti-American” or “woke” views and has pushed for changes in leadership and content. According to the report, the White House and other federal agencies had threatened reviews, funding consequences and content changes at Smithsonian museums.

The article places Bunch’s resignation in the context of broader tensions between the Trump administration and cultural institutions over diversity, equity and inclusion policies and how US history is presented. It also notes earlier disputes, including efforts to remove references to Trump’s impeachments and the administration’s review of museum materials. Supporters quoted by Al Jazeera said Bunch has worked to present a fuller account of American history, underscoring why his exit may matter for debates over museum independence and historical interpretation.