The Real Legacy of Lonnie Bunch
Lonnie G. Bunch III is stepping down as secretary of the Smithsonian Institution after a tenure marked by political pressure and institutional stewardship. The article reflects on his legacy as a leader who navigated complex political environments to protect the museum's mission.
Why it matters
The Smithsonian is a major cultural institution, and its leadership transitions often reflect broader tensions in American political and cultural life.
The Smithsonian secretary protected an American institution from more than Donald Trump.
Illustration by The Atlantic. Sources: Danny Moloshok / Reuters; Detroit Photographic Co. / Library of Congress. September 9, 2026, 8:55 AM ET Share Save Americans may not realize for many years just how lucky they were that Lonnie G. Bunch III led the Smithsonian Institution from 2019 to 2026. Bunch has announced that he will step down at the end of this year. He insists that the timing is his own, and we should do him the honor of believing him—notwithstanding the immense pressure the administration has applied to the Smithsonian generally and Bunch personally since Donald Trump returned to office last year.
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