Trump removes National Portrait Gallery director citing partiality

President Donald Trump announced an unexpected shake-up at the National Portrait Gallery on Friday.

Kim Sajet, who has served as the director of the prestigious Smithsonian Institution museum since April 2013, was relieved of her duties by Trump who attributed the decision to her political and organizational inclinations, the Daily Caller reported.

The announcement of the firing was made through a post on Truth Social, where Trump explained his decision to terminate Sajet's employment. He described Sajet as a "highly partisan person" who strongly supports Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which he deemed unsuitable for her role.

Trump Questions DEI Initiative Suitability

Kim Sajet's tenure at the National Portrait Gallery was marked by several initiatives and events focusing on contemporary social and cultural issues. Under her leadership, the Gallery featured programs covering topics like immigration, racial identity, racial justice, and the labor of Black women.

Sajet's approach to the museum's curation aimed to integrate personal experiences and creativity into learning and build civic awareness, as noted on her LinkedIn profile.

Despite these contributions, Trump's critique centered on Sajet's partisan orientation and support for DEI strategies, which he publicly questioned.

FEC Records and Public Donations

Financial records from the Federal Election Commission indicate that Sajet has made several contributions to Democratic causes. These affiliations were highlighted as part of Trump's statement, insinuating a broader pattern of partisanship.

Trump emphasized that the termination came "upon the request and recommendation of many people," suggesting that there were additional voices advocating for this leadership change.

The president further addressed the matter, stating, “Her replacement will be named shortly,” reassuring the public of continuity in leadership at the Gallery.

Silence from the National Portrait Gallery

Despite the furor surrounding her dismissal, the National Portrait Gallery had not issued any public comments in response to Trump's announcement at the time of reporting. The Daily Caller News Foundation had reached out for a statement but did not receive a reply.

This period of transition leaves the museum without a director, prompting questions about the Gallery's direction under new leadership and whether the institution will maintain or shift its programmatic focus.

The role of the director traditionally involves not just artistic but also administrative and strategic responsibilities, factors which the new appointee will have to navigate amidst this public political discourse.

Anticipating New Leadership Direction

While Trump's decision extracts Sajet from her influential role, it also opens the floor to discussions on how political affiliations impact non-partisan entities such as national museums. There may be debates about the balance between political viewpoints and cultural representation.

Trump's assertive decision-making reflects his broader administrative strategies, specifically his approach to leadership aligned with particular organizational values.

The upcoming appointment of Sajet’s successor remains a topic of interest. Observers and stakeholders are keen to see who will next lead the institution and what changes, if any, will follow.