Lonnie G. Bunch III, who made history in 2019 as the first African American and the first historian to lead the Smithsonian Institution, has announced his retirement. Now 73, the outgoing secretary sat down with correspondent Mo Rocca to discuss his tenure and the challenges faced by the institution.
During the interview, Bunch addressed the significant pressure exerted by the Trump White House, which questioned whether Smithsonian staff members were patriotic enough. He emphasized that the core mission of the museums is to protect history, arguing that this duty requires presenting America with a complete and honest picture of its own past.
Bunch reflected on his efforts to fulfill and enrich the Smithsonian’s mandate throughout his leadership, marking the end of an era for the nation’s largest museum and research complex.
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Finally, someone who gets it. Honest history isn’t divisive; silence and omission are.
The Smithsonian has always been a mirror. It’s disappointing that some still find that threatening.
Retiring at 73 feels early for someone with his energy. Is he planning to write or teach?
I had no idea the political pressure was that intense. How did he manage to stay so composed?
His stance on protecting history is exactly what our institutions need right now. A true leader.