Lonnie Bunch III will step down as secretary of the Smithsonian Institution at the end of the year, after seven years in the role and amid escalating criticism from the Trump administration regarding the portrayal of American history. Bunch, the first Black person to lead the institution, told The New York Times the decision wasn’t directly caused by the pressure, stating, “now’s the time,” but acknowledged the role had been stressful. The Trump administration has repeatedly attacked the Smithsonian’s presentation of U.S. history, beginning with a 2025 executive order targeting “divisive narratives” and “improper ideology.” This led to a review of Smithsonian museums and threats to federal funding, with the Interior Department alleging a “radical ideology” weakened “shared American identity.”
In July, a White House report accused the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History of “extreme political activism.” While Bunch expressed openness to criticism, he maintained the importance of a comprehensive understanding of the nation’s past. The administration also attempted to install signs at the National Museum of American History correcting what it deemed inaccurate information. Chief Justice John Roberts, chancellor of the Smithsonian, praised Bunch’s leadership and commitment to telling the nation’s story.
Separately, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against residents of Jackson, Mississippi, in a lawsuit claiming unsafe drinking water violated their constitutional rights. The court held that the residents sought recognition of “new constitutional rights lacking any foundation in the history and tradition of our nation,” suggesting legal recourse lay through other avenues like tort claims or electing representatives to address the issue.
Read the original coverage
💬 Comments
📜 Comment Policy