Trump Fires National Portrait Gallery Director Kim Sajet Amid Controversy
President Trump has fired Kim Sajet, the first female director of the National Portrait Gallery, citing her support for DEI initiatives and alleged partisanship.
Smithsonian Portrait Gallery Director fired for promotion of DEI
Washington Examiner
Overview
President Trump announced the firing of Kim Sajet, the first female director of the National Portrait Gallery, on May 30, claiming she is 'highly partisan' and a supporter of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Sajet, who has led the gallery since 2013, was born in Nigeria and raised in Australia. Legal experts question Trump's authority to dismiss her, as the gallery is part of the Smithsonian Institution. Sajet's leadership focused on presenting a balanced view of American history, and her removal aligns with Trump's broader initiative to eliminate DEI programs from federal institutions.
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FAQ
Directors at the National Portrait Gallery, as part of the Smithsonian Institution, are typically appointed through internal leadership and board processes. Presidents generally do not have direct authority to appoint or dismiss Smithsonian leaders, as the Smithsonian is an independent trust instrumentality with its own governance structure.
Kim Sajet expanded public engagement and representation at the National Portrait Gallery, focusing on telling the multi-faceted story of America and supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Under her leadership, the gallery attracted over 2 million onsite and 4 million online visitors annually and increased the diversity of portraits and narratives on display.
There is legal uncertainty because the National Portrait Gallery is part of the Smithsonian Institution, which operates as an independent trust instrumentality and not as a direct federal agency. Its leadership is typically selected by Smithsonian boards and executives, not by the President, so presidential authority to dismiss a director is unclear.
Kim Sajet promoted initiatives focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion; the expansion of digital engagement; and programs like the annual Portrait of a Nation Gala. She also enhanced educational outreach and supported the commissioning of diverse portraits to reflect a broader American story[1].
President Trump’s removal of Kim Sajet aligns with his broader initiative to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in federal institutions, citing concerns over partisanship and ideology[1].
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