Lonnie Bunch III, secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, has received over $4.4 million in base salary and benefits between 2020 and 2024, according to a review of the institution's tax forms. Bunch has been a vocal proponent of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), stating that it "must be at the center" of institutional excellence.
While the Smithsonian funds executive compensation through private trust revenues to adhere to federal pay caps, the significant remuneration has drawn attention, particularly as federal taxpayers contribute approximately 60% of the institution's overall budget. The Smithsonian has stated that federal funding constitutes about two-thirds of its budget.
During his tenure, Bunch has emphasized a transformation of the institution's cultural focus. In a 2019 interview, he expressed a desire for the Smithsonian to make diversity and inclusion so central that they would no longer require explicit discussion. He also highlighted the Smithsonian's role in legitimizing important issues, citing the controversial 1619 Project as an example of the institution's influence.
As secretary, Bunch oversees 21 museums, 21 libraries, the National Zoo, and several research centers. His compensation package has included annual salaries ranging from approximately $726,156 to $915,469, along with additional benefits that reached up to $74,090 in 2024.
Bunch co-authored a policy framework for the American Alliance of Museums titled "Excellence in DEAI" (diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion). This document advocates for embedding DEAI responsibilities and accountability into all levels of museum operations, including job descriptions and performance reviews. Bunch wrote that DEAI is "integral to excellence in museum practice" and is essential for understanding and practicing excellence amid social polarization and systemic oppression.
Bunch's advocacy for DEAI, along with statements from other Smithsonian leadership, has previously drawn scrutiny from the Trump administration. A report titled "Saving America's Story" raised concerns that the organization had adopted a political stance, moving away from historical education toward "extreme political activism."
Bunch has maintained that he acts as an apolitical figure without a hidden agenda, even while promoting DEAI initiatives. He told Smithsonian Magazine that the country needs "nonpartisan and safe" places for people to engage with current issues. The Smithsonian Institution was established by Congress in 1846 as an independent federal trust.