The Smithsonian chief’s exit is a blow to democracy | Kimberlé Crenshaw and Jason Stanley

The Trump administration wants a feel-good version of American history. That is not a feature of a democratic system On Tuesday, Lonnie G Bunch III announced he would step down as the 14th secretary of the Smithsonian. Bunch was the first historian to lead the august institution, as well as the first African American. His retirement comes as the Trump administration has pressured the Smithsonian to adopt its agenda of “patriotic” education. Continue reading...

Kimberlé Crenshaw and Jason Stanley · Fri, Sep 11, 2026, 5:00 AM
US news | The Guardian

The Smithsonian chief’s exit is a blow to democracy | Kimberlé Crenshaw and Jason Stanley

The Trump administration wants a feel-good version of American history. That is not a feature of a democratic system

On Tuesday, Lonnie G Bunch III announced he would step down as the 14th secretary of the Smithsonian.

Bunch was the first historian to lead the august institution, as well as the first African American. His retirement comes as the Trump administration has pressured the Smithsonian to adopt its agenda of “patriotic” education.

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