LEADER JEFFRIES STATEMENT ON RETIREMENT ANNOUNCEMENT OF LONNIE G. BUNCH III

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries issued the following statement:

The career of Lonnie G. Bunch III has been defined by his work to tell the unvarnished truth of the story of America. The first African American to serve as Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, Dr. Bunch has dedicated his entire life to strengthening our museums and helping recommit America to its founding promise of liberty and justice for all. He has been at the forefront of the ongoing battle against efforts by Donald Trump and his far-right sycophants to cowardly and unpatriotically whitewash our history, ban books and turn back the clock on progress.

The founding director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture, Lonnie has been instrumental in protecting Black history, which is American history. Lonnie Bunch has fought to ensure that the Smithsonian Institution remains the preeminent museum, educational and cultural system in the world as the Trump administration seeks to censor facts and bend history to his will. He previously served in prominent leadership roles at critical institutions like the National Museum of American History, the Chicago Historical Society and the California African American Museum.

Under Donald Trump's reign, far too many dedicated public servants have been shamefully and relentlessly attacked and undermined for doing their jobs with integrity. Inspired by Dr. Lonnie G. Bunch's lifetime of commitment to preserving our nation's history, House Democrats will continue to fight back against any effort to sanitize or rewrite the full story of our great country. Our cultural institutions and the nation are forever indebted to Secretary Bunch for his unequalled contributions, and we wish him and his family the best in this next chapter.

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