What Lonnie Bunch Told Me
He was ready for life after the Smithsonian. Protecting the institution had taken a toll.
TL;DR
- Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch is retiring at the end of the year.
- Bunch expressed a long-held desire for more personal time to write and spend with family.
- The Trump administration's pressure and efforts to influence the Smithsonian significantly impacted Bunch's final years.
- Defending the institution from political interference was exhausting and served as a distraction from its mission.
- Despite the pressure, Bunch's commitment to the Smithsonian, where he has worked for nearly half a century, remained strong.
- The Smithsonian's role in American life was highlighted by public engagement, particularly with museums like the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
- Bunch's departure raises questions about future leadership and the continued political challenges facing the Smithsonian.