'Don’t I deserve a little grace?': Lonnie Bunch on pressure from Trump and leaving the Smithsonian on his own terms
The man who shepherded the creation of the National Museum for African American History and Culture discusses his tenure and interference from the White House
TL;DR
- Lonnie Bunch III, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, announced his retirement after eight years.
- Bunch cited personal goal completion and a desire for "grace" as reasons for leaving, while acknowledging pressure from the Trump administration.
- The Trump administration issued executive orders and reports criticizing the Smithsonian for "divisive, race-centered ideology" and "divisive narratives."
- Funding threats were made, linking Smithsonian appropriations to compliance with the Trump administration's views on American history.
- Bunch defended the Smithsonian's approach to history, stating he never crossed his "fundamental red line" of erasing history.
- He expressed gratitude for the support of the Smithsonian's board of regents and Chief Justice John Roberts.
- Bunch plans to teach, write op-eds, and publish books about his experiences.