The Smithsonian’s Sacrificial Lamb: Lonnie Bunch’s Resignation is a Warning Sign for Free Institutions

The news of Lonnie Bunch’s resignation as Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution amid attacks from the Trump administration should send shivers down the spines of anyone who cares about the integrity of our cultural institutions. What’s striking, however, isn’t just the vitriol directed at Dr. Bunch and his team; it’s the quiet dismantling of a long-standing tradition of independence, one executive order at a time.

The attacks on the Smithsonian have been brewing for years but reached a fever pitch in 2025 with the release of a scathing report from the White House Domestic Policy Council. This document labeled the National Museum of American History as an institution that “engages in extreme political activism” and presents “a radical view of American history.” It’s clear this move was intended to bully institutions into conforming to a narrow, partisan vision of American greatness.

The Smithsonian is not alone in facing these challenges. The Trump administration has made a concerted effort to politicize every aspect of public life, from education and healthcare to the arts and sciences. This phenomenon, while uniquely American, is not unprecedented; other countries have faced similar struggles in recent history.

In 2019, Australia’s National Museum of Australia found itself at the center of a controversy over its handling of Indigenous Australian culture. The British Museum has also struggled with colonialism and cultural appropriation. In each case, the challenge was not just defending institutions against external attacks but confronting internal biases and prejudices that had been hidden for too long.

Lonnie Bunch’s resignation highlights the fragility of even established institutions in the face of sustained pressure. Throughout his tenure at the Smithsonian, Dr. Bunch has been a beacon of independence, and his decision to step down is testament to the toll this kind of warfare can take.

The question remains: what does it mean for an institution like the Smithsonian to be truly independent? Is declaring commitment to objectivity and nonpartisanship enough, or must we confront systemic inequalities and biases underlying our cultural artifacts?

This question has far-reaching implications for all of us. As institutions struggle to maintain their independence in the face of pressure, it’s worth asking what kind of cultural landscape we want to create in this country. Do we want institutions beholden to partisan interests and agendas or ones that can stand tall against change?

Dr. Bunch’s legacy will be complicated; he was a champion of diversity and inclusion, but his departure also passes the baton to new leaders who face daunting challenges.

The real question now is what happens next at the Smithsonian – and what message we send to institutions like it around the world. Will we continue down this path of politicization and intimidation or reclaim our cultural heritage as something that belongs to all Americans? Only time will tell.