WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump announced in a Truth Social post on May 30 that he fired Kim Sajet from her role as director of Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery.
“Upon the request and recommendation of many people, I am herby terminating the employment of Kim Sajet as Director of the National Portrait Gallery,” Trump wrote in his post. “She is a highly partisan person, and a strong supporter of DEI, which is totally inappropriate for her position,” he added, referring to diversity, equity and inclusion.
“Her replacement will be named shortly,” Trump wrote. ”Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
The National Portrait Gallery was established by Congress in 1962 with the goal of displaying portraits of individuals who have been key contributors to the “history, development, and culture of the people“ in the U.S., according to its website. It has an exhibition featuring portraits of U.S. presidents.
Sajet was named director in 2013, during the Obama administration. She was appointed by then-Secretary of the Smithsonian Wayne Clough, and became the first woman to take on the role. Before serving as director, she was the president and CEO of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.
Sajet told The Guardian in 2024 that the gallery tries not to editorialize when it comes to labeling portraits.
“We try very hard to be even-handed when we talk about people and that’s the key. Everyone has an opinion about American presidents, good, bad and indifferent. We hear it all but generally I think we’ve done pretty well,” she told the outlet.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump fires Kim Sajet, director of National Portrait Gallery
