Federal Funding Threats and Political Pressure Force Smithsonian Leadership Overhaul

By Alec MacGillis, ProPublica · Ars Technica · 2026-09-27

Federal Funding Threats and Political Pressure Force Smithsonian Leadership Overhaul

Ars Technica reports that Smithsonian Institution Secretary Lonnie Bunch has resigned following an intense White House campaign against the museum's curatorial direction. The Trump administration has threatened to withdraw the organization's billion-dollar federal budget, citing

Ars Technica reports that Smithsonian Institution Secretary Lonnie Bunch has resigned following an intense White House campaign against the museum's curatorial direction. The Trump administration has threatened to withdraw the organization's billion-dollar federal budget, citing