Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III Resigns Amid White House Pressure

Lonnie G. Bunch III, the secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, has resigned after spending recent months defending the institution against criticism. His departure marks the end of a tenure that saw the world's largest museum complex navigate political and public scrutiny over its exhibits and programming.

Bunch, who took the role in 2019, was the first African American to serve as the Smithsonian's secretary. During his time, he oversaw the opening of the National Museum of African American History and