Lonnie Bunch

historian, 14th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution

1. The Smithsonian gives you ambiguity. It helps you understand complexity, nuance, subtlety, debate.

   Lonnie Bunch · Meet the Press · Meet the Press NOW — July 6 · 2026-07-06

2. We are in pursuit of the promise of America, that in essence we almost never get there, and that's okay.

   Lonnie Bunch · Meet the Press · Full interview: Smithsonian’s Lonnie Bunch says ‘we are in pursuit of the promise of America’ · 2026-07-05

3. He can run, but he can't hide. I think that's what I feel about history.

   Lonnie Bunch · Meet the Press · Full interview: Smithsonian’s Lonnie Bunch says ‘we are in pursuit of the promise of America’ · 2026-07-05

• Meet the Press · Meet the Press NOW — July 6 · 2026-07-06
• Meet the Press · Full interview: Smithsonian’s Lonnie Bunch says ‘we are in pursuit of the promise of America’ · 2026-07-05
• Meet the Press · July 5 – America 250 with Ken Burns, Doris Kearns Goodwin and Lonnie Bunch · 2026-07-05