The president’s executive order demanding change at the institution presents a perilous test for Lonnie G. Bunch III, its secretary, whom the White House calls a partisan Democrat.

Lonnie Bunch III, head of the Smithsonian Institution and a former Oak Parker, is navigating threats to the organization as President Donald Trump works to expand his influence there while attempting to take control of how American history is defined.

The order states that Vice President JD Vance will be in charge of efforts to prohibit federal funding for Smithsonian programs that are not in line with the administration's goals.