Overview

• Kim Sajet stepped down on June 13 from her role as director of the National Portrait Gallery, saying she wanted to put the museum’s needs first.
• President Trump announced on May 30 that he had fired Sajet for her perceived partisanship and support for diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives despite lacking formal authority.
• The Smithsonian Institution emphasized that all personnel decisions are made by Secretary Lonnie Bunch and overseen by its Board of Regents.
• The Board of Regents publicly backed Bunch’s authority over staffing and directed him to establish clear guidance for unbiased museum content.
• Kevin Gover, the undersecretary for museums and culture, has been named acting director of the National Portrait Gallery.