Kim Sajet, the director of the National Portrait Gallery, has resigned, a fortnight after US President Donald Trump said he was firing her. On 30 May, Trump announced on Truth Social that he would be dismissing Sajet, saying: “She is a highly partisan person, and a strong supporter of DEI, which is totally inappropriate for her position.”
Despite a statement last week from the Smithsonian Institution, which declared that “All personnel decisions are made by and subject to the direction of the Secretary, with oversight by the Board,” Sajet confirmed her resignation on her LinkedIn account on 15 June, saying:
“Yesterday, I tendered my resignation as Director of the National Portrait Gallery to Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch. Leading the Portrait Gallery & serving alongside the remarkable individuals who make up the Smithsonian community has been the honor of a lifetime.”
Smithsonian to review content
Lonnie G. Bunch, the Secretary, stated in an internal email obtained by multiple outlets:
“We thank Kim for her service. Her decision to put the museum first is to be applauded and appreciated. I know this was not an easy decision. She put the needs of the Institution above her own, and for that we thank her.
“We are grateful to Kim for leading the National Portrait Gallery with passion and creativity for 12 years. Throughout her tenure, she has reimagined and reshaped the impact and storytelling of portraiture.”
Last week, the Smithsonian announced that it will conduct a content review across its 21 museums and zoo to comply with a recent order issued by the Trump administration. The review follows an executive order signed by Trump in March that targeted the Smithsonian and directed the removal of “improper, divisive, or anti-American ideology” from its museums.
The Smithsonian Institution’s network of museums welcomes between 15 to 30 million visitors annually, free of charge.
