Smithsonian Secretary Defends Museum’s Mission Against Right-Wing Attacks
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Outgoing Smithsonian secretary Lonnie Bunch forcefully rejected reactionary claims that the institution is unpatriotic, insisting on the necessity of confronting America’s legacy of slavery and oppression during a ceremony at the African American museum.
Lonnie Bunch, the Smithsonian Institution’s outgoing secretary, addressed an audience at the National Museum of African American History and Culture on Friday, courageously defending the museum’s vital role in presenting a truthful and complete view of U.S. history. He condemned the right-wing narrative that Smithsonian staff or exhibits are “un-patriotic,” describing the museum’s work as an act of deep love and accountability for the country.
“The notion that somehow this museum or any part of the Smithsonian is done by people who don’t love America, don’t care about America, is unbelievably wrong,” Bunch said.
Speaking at an event marking the museum’s 10th anniversary, Bunch, who will step down at the end of the year, emphasized that reckoning with the horrors of slavery is essential to understanding the nation’s foundations. He asserted that “you cannot understand the greatness of a country without understanding the totality of a country” and that curators must shine a light on “the dark corners” of history that conservative forces would rather erase.
His remarks came as the Trump administration, in a blatant attempt to whitewash history, has accused cultural institutions of rewriting the past and ordered reviews of museum content ahead of the United States’ 250th anniversary. The White House has even demanded warning signs at the nearby National Museum of American History, furthering its campaign of censorship.
Bunch also highlighted personal resilience, noting that visits to the African American museum, including seeing Emmett Till’s casket—a stark reminder of racist violence—reinforce his belief in perseverance. He described the museum as a “beacon of possibility” and a “place of resistance” that will endure despite mounting political pressure from reactionary forces.
Television producer Shonda Rhimes, a board member, announced a $1 million pledge to a legacy fund established in Bunch’s honor, aimed at supporting the museum’s commitment to inclusion, public engagement, and independent scholarship—values under threat from political interference. Acting museum director Shanita Brackett said the fund will help maintain those values without external influence.
The Smithsonian operates independently of the executive branch under a board of regents that includes Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts and Vice President J.D. Vance.