Smithsonian Stands Firm on Personnel Decisions Amid Trump's Announcement
Trump's dismissal defied by Smithsonian, asserting its authority over personnel matters
In a bold move against President Donald Trump, the Smithsonian Institute announced on Monday that it retains sole authority over personnel decisions - a statement that came after Trump's announcement of ousting Kim Sajet, the director of the National Portrait Gallery.
"All personnel decisions are made by and subject to the direction of the secretary, with oversight by the board," said a statement from the Smithsonian. Lonnie G. Bunch, the institute's secretary, has the backing of the Board of Regents in his authority and management of the Smithsonian."
This statement was issued hours after a meeting with the Board of Regents, including Vice President JD Vance, where they discussed Trump's announcement of Sajet's removal. Trump criticized Sajet as a "highly partisan person" and a strong supporter of DEI initiatives, which he deemed inappropriate for her position. Despite his harsh words, the White House remained mum on the matter.
Sajet was not directly mentioned in the Smithsonian's statement, but the board emphasized its commitment to the institution's nonpartisan nature. "The Smithsonian must be a welcoming place of knowledge and discovery for all Americans," the statement said. "The Board of Regents is determined to ensure that the Smithsonian is a beacon of scholarship free from political or partisan influence and recognizes that our institution can and must do more to further these foundational values."
The Smithsonian's board directed Bunch to outline expectations for museum directors regarding what is displayed in their institutions, giving them time to make any necessary changes to ensure unbiased content. This measure is a temporary one and does not bar potential future personnel actions.
The institute's power struggle with the executive branch has intensified since Trump resurfaced in power. Recently, Trump was appointed as the chair of the board at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and an ally took over as the interim director. In a recent executive order, Trump called for Vance to reform the Smithsonian, arguing that a "revisionist movement" across the country aims to undermine the United States' achievements by casting its founding principles in a negative light.
Trump's announcement of Sajet's dismissal, based on her backing of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, was met with a litany of grievances from the White House, claiming Sajet acted partisan and made public comments about racial and gender inequality in America.
In an email to Smithsonian employees, Bunch expressed a desire to have the institution scrutinize its exhibitions, programs, and presentations, acknowledging instances where they may not align with institutional values of scholarship, even-handedness, and nonpartisanship. Bunch astutely remarked that Sajet's situation casts a spotlight on the need for the Smithsonian to reevaluate its policies, procedures, and personnel.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Sajet's tenure, other museum professionals have defended her programming at the National Portrait Gallery as an effort to represent a broad spectrum of history. The Smithsonian has traditionally maintained its independence from the executive branch, and Trump's authority to fire Sajet has been called into question based on the institution's governing documents. In a vote, the Board of Regents reasserted its autonomy in operating the cultural complex.
The ongoing fight between Sajet's employment and the Smithsonian's autonomy places a considerable pressure on Bunch, who must navigate political boundaries while defending the institution's independence. As a trusted appointee during Trump's first term, and the founding director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Bunch's future at the Smithsonian remains in limbo due to the president's aversion to diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Related- Trump Unleashed: National Portrait Gallery Director Remains Unscathed- Controversy Reborn: Trump on the Warpath for Smithsonian's Director
The Smithsonian is governed by a 17-member Board of Regents, which includes congressional representatives and members chosen by the board for a six-year term. The institute receives two-thirds of its $1 billion annual funding from the federal government, making it vulnerable to political interference and budget cuts.
Independent of the Sajet turmoil, the Smithsonian is also grappling with the president's proposed 12% cut to its budget, something that Sajet highlighted at a meeting with the National Portrait Gallery's board of commissioners. Budget reductions would hit the infrastructure and staff of various museums under the Smithsonian's aegis, setting the stage for further hardships.
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- The Smithsonian Institute, located in Seattle, has found itself at the center of political discourse, with its board emphasizing the institution's nonpartisan nature, in light of President Donald Trump's criticism of Kim Sajet, the director of the National Portrait Gallery.
- Amid the ongoing power struggle between the executive branch and the Smithsonian, the institution's governing documents are under scrutiny, as Trump's authority to fire Sajet has been questioned due to the Smithsonian's independent status.
- The Seattle-based Smithsonian Institute faces not only the uncertainties surrounding Kim Sajet's tenure but also the potential impact of a proposed 12% cut to its federal funding, which could affect the infrastructure and staff of various museums under its aegis.
