Smithsonian chief to retire after clashes with White House
Source: www.axios.com ·
Section: politics ·
Bias: Left
· Published: Tue, 08 Sep 2026 16:47:12 GMT
Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch announced he will retire later this year following clashes with the White House.Why it matters: Bunch's departure leaves the Smithsonian facing a leadership transition as the Trump administration escalates efforts to reshape how the institution presents American history.Driving the news: Bunch will step down by the end of the year after nearly 38 years at the Smithsonian, the institution said Tuesday."It is time for my next chapter, a chapter that will allow me to continue to protect the integrity of the Smithsonian and to champion the importance of a history that illuminates and celebrates the complex story of our nation," Bunch said.Flashback: Bunch pushed back against a White House review of the Smithsonian in a July message to staff, saying the report was "not a fair characterization" of the National Museum of American History.He said the Smithsonian remained committed to "scholarship, nonpartisanship, independence, accuracy, and integrity."What's next: The Smithsonian's Board of Regents will name an acting secretary and launch a national search for Bunch's successor.Editor's note: This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
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