President Donald Trump announced on his Truth social media platform that he had fired Kim Sajet, the director of the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. Trump claimed that Sajet was “a highly partisan person, and a strong supporter of DEI, which is totally inappropriate for her position.”
However, the National Portrait Gallery is part of the Smithsonian Institution, which operates independently from the federal government. The gallery was established by Congressional decree in 1962 and is not controlled by the executive branch. Senator Gary Peters, a member of the Smithsonian’s Board of Regents, stated that “Clearly, the president has no authority whatsoever to fire her.
The Smithsonian is an independent institution, and the director of the Smithsonian is the one who she reports to, and that’s the person who makes the decision as to hiring and firing of individuals.”
The Smithsonian Secretary, Lonnie G. Bunch III, manages the day-to-day operations of the museums, research facilities, and the National Zoo. The Board of Regents, which includes prominent members such as Chief Justice John G.
Roberts and Vice President JD Vance, establishes major policies for the institution and oversees their implementation by the Secretary.
Trump’s firing claim rebuffed
Despite Trump’s announcement, Sajet continues to report for work, according to The Washington Post.
The White House did not respond to a request for comment. This development adds another chapter to the tumultuous interactions between Trump and prominent American cultural institutions. Since taking office, Trump has aggressively tried to reshape cultural institutions, raising concerns among professionals in the field.
Lisa Strong, director of the Art and Museum Studies MA program at Georgetown University, said, “Museums serve the public good, they’re meant to hold the public trust. And that’s why museum directors are not political appointments.”
The Smithsonian declined a request for comment. As events unfold, it remains to be seen how the National Portrait Gallery will navigate this politically charged situation regarding its leadership.
