Lonnie G. Bunch III announced his resignation as Smithsonian secretary after seven years leading the institution. In an interview, Mr. Bunch, 73, stated his departure was not due to pressure but simply "now’s the time." He acknowledged the role had been "stressful" and said he "would like to wake up in the morning and not look at my cellphone." Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., the Smithsonian's chancellor, praised Mr. Bunch for pursuing "excellence in the telling of our nation's story." The Smithsonian said Mr. Bunch is expected to depart at the end of the year.

Mr. Bunch leaves amid escalating White House criticism of how the Smithsonian presents American history and values. The administration views the institution as overtaken by liberal bias, while others see an assault on its autonomy. For over a year, Mr. Bunch balanced diplomacy with resistance to a White House push for "patriotic" history. His tenure included high-profile conflicts, such as the Amy Sherald portrait dispute at the National Portrait Gallery involving a transgender Statue of Liberty. Despite criticism that the museum engaged in self-censorship, Mr. Bunch had "no regrets," saying his goal was "to win — to protect the Smithsonian."

Created by Congress as a trust in 1846, the Smithsonian has long been viewed as independent of the executive branch. The 17-person Board of Regents, led by Chief Justice Roberts and including Vice President JD Vance, must now appoint a new leader. Three citizen member terms have recently expired, creating an unusual holding pattern. Over his nearly 40-year career, Mr. Bunch developed a reputation as a soft-spoken diplomat and became the institution's first Black secretary, forcefully addressing race issues after Charlottesville and George Floyd's murder.