Lonnie Bunch III Reflects on History Amid Smithsonian Transition

WHO:

CBS News - Lonnie G. Bunch III is the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.

CNN - Chief Justice John Roberts serves as chancellor of the Smithsonian since 2005.

CNN - Mike Gonzalez is a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation.

WHAT:

CBS News - Lonnie G. Bunch III announced his retirement from the Smithsonian Institution.

CNN - The Smithsonian Institution is preparing to launch a nationwide search for a new leader.

CNN - The Trump administration plans to install signs outside the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History to “correct” allegedly inaccurate and “woke” information in the exhibits.

CNN - The Smithsonian Board of Regents has three current vacancies and three more terms will lapse on October 2.

CNN - Taxpayers will spend about $84,000 on 12 temporary signs outside the Smithsonian’s American history museum.

WHERE:

CNN - The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History is located in Washington, D.C.

WHEN:

CNN - Lonnie Bunch III announced he would retire at the end of 2026.

CNN - Three terms on the Board of Regents will lapse on October 2.

WHY:

CBS News - Bunch stated that his decision to retire was not related to the pressure from the Trump administration.

CNN - The Trump administration's actions are framed as a transparency measure designed to provide visitors with “important context” before entering the museum.

HOW:

CNN - The Board of Regents is expected to enlist the help of a search firm to identify potential successors for the Secretary position.

CNN - The White House has not responded to the Board of Regents regarding filling the vacancies.

(UPDATED September 20, 2026 14:56 UTC)

Lonnie G. Bunch III has announced his retirement from the Smithsonian Institution, effective at the end of 2026, prompting the Smithsonian to prepare for a nationwide search for his successor. Meanwhile, the Trump administration plans to install signs outside the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C., at a cost of about $84,000, to provide what they describe as necessary context for visitors. The Smithsonian Board of Regents currently has three vacancies and will see three more terms lapse on October 2, but the White House has yet to respond regarding filling these positions.