The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery (NPG) has been embroiled in controversy ever since President Trump announced the firing of director Kim Sajet last month. Despite this announcement, Sajet has continued to show up for work, raising questions about the validity of her dismissal.
In a statement released by the Smithsonian Institution, it was clarified that only Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch has the authority to make personnel decisions, with oversight from the Board of Regents. The board, which includes prominent figures such as Vice President JD Vance and Chief Justice John Roberts, is committed to ensuring the institution remains nonpartisan and free from political influence.
Trump’s decision to fire Sajet was based on her supposed support for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which he deemed as partisan. The president’s executive order in March called for the removal of ideologies deemed divisive or anti-American from the Smithsonian, sparking criticism from congressional Democrats who saw it as a threat to the institution’s independence.
Sajet, who became the first woman to lead the NPG in 2013, has been credited with efforts to make the museum more inclusive by diversifying portrait subjects and commissioning works that explore race and gender. Her dismissal has been met with backlash, with Representative Ayanna Pressley’s press secretary calling it “anti-Blackness on steroids.”
The Board of Regents has instructed Secretary Bunch to communicate specific expectations to museum staff regarding content to maintain the Smithsonian’s nonpartisan status. Bunch will report back to the board on the progress made in implementing these changes, with the promise of continued oversight to ensure the institution’s integrity.
Despite requests for comment, neither the Smithsonian nor the NPG has responded to inquiries from sources like Hyperallergic. The future of the NPG remains uncertain as the controversy surrounding Sajet’s firing continues to unfold.
