Smithsonian head to resign after Trump admin threats to cut off support

Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch said he will step down by the end of the year, after seven years leading the U.S. cultural institution. His announcement comes amid an increasingly sharp conflict with the Trump administration over how American history is presented. Days before, the administration threatened to cut off federal support for the Smithsonian, including artifact loans, procurement help, and discretionary grants, alleging the museum promotes an “anti-American narrative.” It has also accused the National Museum of American History of “extreme political activism.” The pressure reportedly escalated further after a Truth Social post criticized the Smithsonian as “OUT OF CONTROL.” NBC quoted Bunch describing his motivation as making the “more perfect union” aspirations accessible.