Lonnie Bunch to retire from Smithsonian
Lonnie Bunch is stepping down as leader of the Smithsonian Institution following political pressure from the Trump administration regarding the portrayal of American history. The administration had previously criticized the Smithsonian's museums as being led by radical activists.
Why it matters
The departure highlights the ongoing political tension surrounding cultural institutions and the interpretation of national history in the United States.
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WASHINGTON (AP) — Lonnie Bunch is stepping down from the leadership of the Smithsonian Institution following a tumultuous year in which President Donald Trump tried to remake the portrayal of U.S. history by the Smithsonian museums and other cultural entities.
Bunch said in a news release Tuesday that he was departing the position he had held since 2019 “with very mixed emotions and heartfelt gratitude.” The Smithsonian said he would leave the post at the end of the year.
Bunch’s departure comes two months after a White House report branded the leaders of the Smithsonian Institution , especially at the National Museum of American History , as radical activists who cannot be trusted, an indication that Trump could be preparing to install his own team .
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