Jump to contentAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleLonnie Bunch, the first Black secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, has announced he will retire from his role at the end of the year. His decision follows a turbulent period involving conflict with President Donald Trump over how American history is presented across the organization's museums. A White House report earlier labelled Smithsonian officials as radical activists, prompting an executive order requiring warning signs on certain exhibits. The Trump administration also threatened to cut federal agency support and alleged that the institution's diversity practices breached anti-discrimination laws. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, acting as Smithsonian chancellor, paid tribute to Bunch for pursuing excellence in telling the story of the United States. In fullTrump attacks drive first Black head of the Smithsonian Institution into retirementMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

Lonnie G. Bunch III said Donald Trump’s attacks were not a factor in his decision.

After months of clashes with the White House, the historian and leader of the institution is retiring later this year.

Lonnie Bunch III, the Smithsonian's first black secretary, announced his intention to retire from the institution.

Lonnie Bunch says the decision has been made ‘with very mixed emotions’