Overview

• President Trump announced on Truth Social that he is terminating Kim Sajet as director of the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, accusing her of partisanship and support for diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Sajet, appointed in 2013 as the first woman to lead the Gallery, expanded its collection and programming to include more diverse artists and subjects and integrated Spanish-language materials.
• The firing follows Trump’s January order to end federal DEI offices and a March executive order targeting “divisive narratives” at the Smithsonian.
• Legal experts and Smithsonian officials note that the institution operates as a public-private partnership with personnel decisions overseen by its Secretary, suggesting Trump’s authority to dismiss Sajet may be limited.
• The president said a replacement will be named soon as part of his broader effort to reshape national arts and cultural bodies.