Donald Trump’s removal of National Portrait Gallery Director Kim Sajet has ignited controversy over executive overreach and the politicization of cultural institutions.
At a Glance
- President Trump dismissed Kim Sajet, Director of the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery
- Sajet, the gallery’s first female Director, had served since 2013 and emphasized inclusive curation
- Trump cited Sajet’s support for “divisive” diversity initiatives as grounds for her firing
- Legal experts question whether the president has authority over Smithsonian appointments
- The decision follows an Executive Order targeting “anti-American ideology” in museums
Firing Triggers Cultural Firestorm
In a surprise post on Truth Social, President Trump announced the termination of Kim Sajet as Director of the National Portrait Gallery, citing her as “highly partisan” and “a strong supporter” of diversity programming. The move quickly sparked backlash across the museum world, with critics alleging political retaliation against a respected art historian and public servant.
Sajet’s ouster follows an Executive Order from Trump’s second term directing federal institutions to purge “divisive or anti-American ideology.” The Smithsonian Institution, which includes the National Portrait Gallery, has historically operated independently from direct presidential control—prompting legal analysts to question the legitimacy of Trump’s intervention.
Watch a report: Trump Fires National Portrait Gallery Director Amid Controversy.
Sajet’s Legacy and Leadership
A Dutch art historian born in Nigeria and raised in Australia, Sajet became the first woman to lead the Portrait Gallery in 2013. Her tenure emphasized historical balance, incorporating underrepresented narratives while preserving curatorial rigor. “It’s very hard to be even-handed when we talk about people and that’s the key,” she once said about the challenge of portraying presidents across party lines.
The Portrait Gallery under Sajet’s direction remained factually neutral, including a label for Trump’s portrait that notes both of his impeachments, acquittals, and unprecedented nonconsecutive re-election in 2024. Her supporters view her removal as a politically motivated act that undermines the gallery’s commitment to historical integrity.
Broader Implications for U.S. Museums
Sajet’s dismissal raises urgent concerns about the future autonomy of American cultural institutions. Since its founding in 1968, the National Portrait Gallery has operated with a mission to depict the full spectrum of U.S. history through portraiture. The gallery holds the only complete presidential portrait collection outside the White House, including George Washington’s “Lansdowne Portrait” and Kehinde Wiley’s 2018 painting of Barack Obama.
Trump’s action suggests a broader campaign to exert ideological control over public museums. His claim that Sajet’s firing was backed by “many people” has not been substantiated, further fueling speculation about the true motives behind the decision. As the administration signals its willingness to reshape the cultural landscape, other institutions under the Smithsonian umbrella may now face similar scrutiny.
The art world, meanwhile, braces for fallout from an unprecedented dismissal that may redefine the relationship between politics and public history. Whether Sajet’s firing stands legally or is challenged in court could set lasting precedents for presidential influence over independent institutions.
