Lonnie Bunch, the first African American to serve as secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, has announced that he will retire at the end of the year after 38 years with the organization. In a statement, Bunch expressed "very mixed emotions and heartfelt gratitude" about his decision, though he clarified that it was not directly tied to the political pressures he faced during the Trump administration. He noted that he simply felt it was "now's the time" to step down, adding that he wished to "wake up in the morning and not look at my cellphone," highlighting the stress he felt from the political climate. Bunch’s departure comes during a contentious period marked by disputes with former President Donald Trump over how American history is presented in the Smithsonian’s museums. In early 2025, the White House issued an executive order titled "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History," which criticized the Smithsonian for promoting what it called "improper ideology." The order required warning signs to be placed at certain exhibits, claiming they contained "inaccurate" information. The Trump administration also threatened to cut federal funding and accused the Smithsonian of violating anti-discrimination laws through its diversity initiatives. During his tenure, Bunch became the first Black person and first historian to lead the Smithsonian. He played a key role in the creation of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which opened in 2016, and served as its executive director before becoming secretary in 2019. Trump had previously criticized the Smithsonian for what he described as a "concerted and widespread effort to rewrite our Nation's history," a charge that Bunch and his team consistently denied. Chief Justice John Roberts, who serves as chancellor of the Smithsonian and is a member of its Board of Regents, praised Bunch for his "wisdom, vision, and leadership" in telling "our nation's story." Roberts expressed confidence in the institution's future under new leadership. The Smithsonian, which includes 21 museums, 14 education and research centers, and the National Zoo, operates independently of the federal government. Museum directors report to the secretary, who is overseen by a bipartisan Board of Regents that includes high-profile figures like Vice President JD Vance and Supreme Court Justice John Roberts. The board will now begin the process of selecting Bunch’s successor.