Gallery Director Resumes Duties Following Trump's Statement on Her Termination
Talking 'Bout Kim Sajet: The director of the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., is still clocking in despite Donald Trump bragging about giving her the ol' heave-ho last week.
Trump, everyone's favorite social media maverick, declared on Truth Social that he had canned Sajet for being a staunch supporter of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)—or so he claimed, without providing a lick of detail. The Smithsonian Institution, a network of museums that runs the National Portrait Gallery, has yet to utter a peep about Trump's bold declaration.
This week, though, the Washington Post came out swinging, revealing the real scoop. A White House office-boy snitched a 17-point list to the Post, detailing instances where Sajet spoke against Trump. One such instance included a portrait exhibition boasting a caption that referred to Trump's two impeachments and the ol' insurrection whammy on January 6, 2021. The White House also didn't approve of Sajet's donations to Democratic causes and her talks about increasing the museum's diversity. Back in 2019, she told USA Today that she wasn't keen on building a museum just for a select few.
So, how does Trump have the power to kick Sajet to the curb? He doesn't. He doesn't even sit on the board of the Smithsonian, despite having a few appointees. Two Democratic representatives, Joseph Morelle of New York and Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, have weighed in, stating that Trump has no authority to fire Sajet. They even went so far as to say Trump's attempt to axe her is as valid as his previous attempts to hijack the Smithsonian's independence—a big, fat “none” on both counts.
The Smithsonian's next board meeting is scheduled for Monday. Gary Peters, a Democrat from Michigan on the board, told the Washington Post that he and the others will discuss this situation before making any decisions. He's also pretty adamant that Trump doesn't have the horses to fire Sajet.
The National Portrait Gallery is just one of the many museums under the Smithsonian's wing. Its family includes the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, and the National Museum of African American History and Culture, all based in Washington, D.C. The Smithsonian also oversees a few museums outside D.C., like the National Museum of the American Indian, with branches in New York and D.C.
Trump has tried his hand at ruffling the Smithsonian's feathers before, issuing an executive order accusing its museums of pushing "improper ideology" via exhibits and programs that degraded "shared American values". The executive order called out shows at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Insights:- As of June 10, 2025, Sajet's employment status remains unchanged despite Trump's public statements.- The Smithsonian's leadership makes personnel decisions, not the President of the United States.- The Smithsonian emphasized its nonpartisan stance and commitment to shielding its operations from political influence.- The 17-point list of Sajet's alleged criticisms of Trump has not resulted in any immediate personnel changes.- The Smithsonian may implement interim measures to reinforce expectations for museum content.- Trump's attempts to interfere with the Smithsonian's affairs have faced opposition and rejection in the past.
- Despite Trump's claims of firing Kim Sajet, the director of the National Portrait Gallery, she continues to work, as of June 10, 2025.
- The Smithsonian Institution, not the President of the United States, makes personnel decisions, undermining Trump's authority to dismiss Sajet.
- The Smithsonian has reiterated its nonpartisan stance and commitment to maintaining the independence of its operations from political influence, downplaying Trump's interferences.
- The 17-point list detailing Sajet's criticisms of Trump has not led to immediate personnel changes, and the Smithsonian may consider implementing interim measures to uphold the expectations for museum content.
