Smithsonian launches search for new secretary amid right-wing political interference
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The Smithsonian Institution is beginning a nationwide search for a new secretary as it faces mounting right-wing political pressure and vacancies on its governing board, threatening its independence.
The Smithsonian Institution is embarking on a nationwide search for a new secretary following the announcement of retirement by longtime leader Lonnie Bunch III at the end of 2026. This transition occurs at a time when the museum is under intensifying right-wing political scrutiny from the Trump administration, which has ordered the placement of signs outside the National Museum of American History to counter what it labels as 'inaccurate' or 'woke' content—an attempt to suppress honest discussions of race, gender, and immigration in American history.
A source close to the Board of Regents emphasized that future candidates will require not only museum management experience but also the resilience to withstand political pressure from the White House and Congress. 'It might be very hard for people who might want this job, it’s not a simple task to find someone on the outside to leave their current role at a time like now,' the source said, highlighting the chilling effect of political interference on the institution’s ability to attract qualified leaders.
The Board of Regents, responsible for selecting the secretary, currently faces three vacancies and three members whose terms end on October 2. Despite submitting names for replacement regents, the White House has failed to respond, leaving appointments in limbo and further destabilizing the Smithsonian’s governance. The board’s composition—including Vice President JD Vance and six members of Congress—raises serious concerns about the administration’s undue influence over a cultural institution that should remain independent.
President Trump’s executive order on 'Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History' has mandated a review of Smithsonian exhibits, and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has announced plans to install temporary signs costing about $84,000 to provide what the administration calls 'important context' on topics such as immigration, gender identity, and race. This move is widely seen as an attempt to impose a reactionary narrative and undermine the Smithsonian’s educational mission. Burgum wrote that the public 'deserves to know' this information before entering the museum, disregarding the expertise of historians and curators.
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, who has served as Smithsonian chancellor since 2005, opened a recent board meeting by praising Bunch’s service and expressing a commitment to a smooth transition. Sources indicate Roberts is expected to work behind the scenes to ensure the selection process follows established procedures, while avoiding direct involvement that could lead to litigation—an implicit acknowledgment of the fraught political climate.
The search for a new secretary is seen as one of the most consequential leadership decisions for the Smithsonian in decades, as the institution’s cultural significance and independence are threatened by the current political environment.