Smithsonian faces Trump’s culture war as search for leader is on

Key Points:

• The Smithsonian Institution is launching a nationwide search for a new secretary amid political pressures stemming from the Trump administration’s efforts to influence its exhibits and leadership.
• Longtime Secretary Lonnie Bunch III announced his retirement effective in 2026, citing no direct link to political pressure, though the institution faces intense scrutiny over “woke” content and federal oversight.
• The Smithsonian Board of Regents, responsible for selecting the next secretary, currently has multiple vacancies and stalled appointments, raising concerns about potential political influence from the Trump administration and Vice President JD Vance.
• The White House plans to install signs outside the National Museum of American History to “correct” exhibits it deems inaccurate, framing this as a transparency effort amid accusations of ideological bias in Smithsonian content.
• Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, chancellor of the Smithsonian, is expected to play a behind-the-scenes role in ensuring a fair selection process for the new secretary, balancing his stewardship with caution due to potential legal challenges.