Lonnie Bunch to step down as Smithsonian secretary 

Published September 8, 2026 12:20pm ET | Updated September 8, 2026 1:16pm ET



Lonnie Bunch III is stepping down from his role as the secretary of the Smithsonian Institution before the end of 2026, he announced Tuesday.

Bunch, 73, is the first black leader of the museum and education institution based in Washington and began his role in June 2019. He has sparred with President Donald Trump’s second administration throughout the past two years of his tenure, as Trump has aimed to root out “divisive, race-centered ideology” displays at the institution’s museums.

Already a print subscriber? Click here to login/register your account

Trusted reporting.Unlimited access.

Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis, and subscriber-only journalism.

Get Unlimited Access

Already a member? Log in

Cancel anytime.