President Trump has announced that the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery’s director will be fired after 12 years in the position. Trump made the announcement on social media, stating that Kim Sajet’s support for DEI is “totally inappropriate,” and that as a result, he believes she cannot continue in her position.
Trump has been an outspoken critic of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, frequently blaming it for a variety of societal issues. On Truth Social, he stated that Sajet is “partisan” and thus unfit to continue in her position — at least in his opinion.
It’s worth noting that Kim Sajet is the first woman to lead the National Portrait Gallery in its long and distinguished history.
The fact that her support for DEI was cited as a reason for her dismissal not only undermines the GOP’s claims that DEI promotes incompetence, but it also raises serious concerns about whether this firing was legal in the first place.
The Trump administration has already stumbled in its efforts to dismantle diversity programs, and this latest move has sparked new concerns. According to The Guardian, Trump provided no evidence of Sajet’s alleged partisanship, but speculated that the firing was linked to a caption on his official portrait referencing January 6.
Trump has recently doubled down on defending the legacy of the January 6th insurrection, even pardoning many of its perpetrators. Meanwhile, Sajet, who has been involved in the art world since moving to the United States in 1997, has held leadership positions at several museums.
When asked about her approach to running the National Portrait Gallery, she once stated that she strives to be “very even-handed,” acknowledging that each viewer will bring their own perspective to the legacy of any American president.
The caption that allegedly ruffled Trump’s feathers reads: “Impeached twice, on charges of abuse of power and incitement of insurrection after supporters attacked the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, he was acquitted by the Senate in both trials.” Trump hasn’t publicly stated that this was the reason for the firing, but it does provide a likely clue as to what triggered him.
Legal experts argue that Trump lacks the authority to fire Sajet. The National Portrait Gallery, as part of the Smithsonian Institution, is not under the direct control of the executive branch.
This is not Trump’s first clash with museums. When he started his second term, he ordered the removal of “anti-American ideology” from Smithsonian exhibits.
His issue appears to be less with the museums themselves than with how he is remembered there. Rather than changing his behavior or approach to public service, Trump appears determined to pursue those who document it.
He has used similar tactics with reporters and even musicians. It’s a game of White House favoritism, and if you don’t play along, the consequences can be severe and personal. There appears to be a growing pattern of retaliation against anyone who disagrees with Trump’s version of events.
