Smithsonian Institution Tacitly Discloses Plans to Contest Trump's Dismissal of National Portrait Gallery Director
On a typical Monday evening, the iconic Smithsonian Institution broke its silence about the ongoing saga surrounding President Donald Trump and National Portrait Gallery director Kim Sajet.
In their inaugural statement on the matter, the institution reaffirmed its status as an "autonomous entity." Although the statement avoided naming Sajet or calling out Trump directly, it made clear that all personnel decisions are under the Secretary's jurisdiction, with the approval of the Board of Regents. Lonnie G. Bunch, the Secretary, has the Board's backing in his leadership and management of the Smithsonian.
Since the analysis by the New York Times, the statement was promptly released, following the quarterly gathering of the Institution's Board of Regents, which notably includes Vice President JD Vance.
Posted on the Smithsonian's website, the statement seems to be an acknowledgment of the status quo. Recent Washington Post reports reveal that Sajet had been continuing to work at the National Portrait Gallery despite Trump's alleged dismissal. The Trump administration supposedly provided a 17-point list of Sajet's alleged critical remarks towards Trump as justification for her termination.
The Smithsonian's statement subtly addressed the administration's grievances, stating, "To preserve our nonpartisan image, the Board of Regents has instructed the Secretary to set forth specific expectations for museum directors and staff regarding content in Smithsonian museums. He will give directors a suitable timeframe to make any necessary adjustments to ensure neutral content, and report back to the Board concerning progress and any required personnel changes based on the success or failure in enacting the necessary changes."
The National Portrait Gallery is part of the Smithsonian's extensive roster, which includes other esteemed institutions like 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 the capital, including the National Museum of the American Indian, which runs a New York branch in addition to its D.C. location.
Just days ago, the White House unveiled its proposed 2026 budget, suggesting a 12 percent reduction in funding to the Smithsonian. These cuts would dissolve separate funding for the long-awaited National Museum of the American Latino, reducing the staff count from 35 individuals to a mere 6. In contrast, the Anacostia Community Museum would merge with the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
During a video conference call with the National Portrait Gallery board of commissioners last week, Sajet expressed her concerns about the budget cuts, stating that they would largely impact the museums' facilities, storage, upgrades, and general maintenance[2]. "Maintaining our museums, storage, upgrades, and everything required to preserve them properly," she said.
Trump had previously taken aim at the Smithsonian via an executive order, criticizing its museums for promoting "improper ideology" through "exhibits or programs that degrade shared American values." This order specifically targeted shows at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Museum of African American History and Culture[1].
- The Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, and the National Museum of African American History and Culture are some of the esteemed institutions within the Smithsonian, alongside the National Portrait Gallery.
- In the ongoing saga surrounding President Trump and National Portrait Gallery director Kim Sajet, the Smithsonian's statement addressed the administration's grievances about content in its museums, stating that specific expectations have been set for museum directors and staff to ensure neutral content.
- The proposed 2026 budget by the White House suggests a 12 percent reduction in funding to the Smithsonian, which could dissolve separate funding for the National Museum of the American Latino, significantly reducing its staff count.
- In response to budget cuts, National Portrait Gallery director Kim Sajet expressed her concerns during a video conference call about how these reductions would impact the museum's facilities, storage, upgrades, and general maintenance.
