Kim Sajet Resigns as Director of Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery
Kim Sajet, who has served as the director of the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery (NPG) for over a decade, has submitted her resignation from the position. This comes in the wake of President Donald Trump’s claims that he fired her due to her alleged partisan leanings and strong support for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
The news of Sajet’s departure was initially shared in an internal memo sent by Secretary Bunch to Smithsonian staff and later reported by Hyperallergic. Sajet will be succeeded by Kevin Gover, the current Under Secretary for Museums and Culture at the Smithsonian and former head of the National Museum of the American Indian.
In the memo, Sajet expressed her belief that stepping down was the best decision for the museum, stating, “From the very beginning, my guiding principle has been to put the museum first. Today, I believe that stepping aside is the best way to serve the institution I hold so deeply in my heart.”
Despite the initial uncertainty surrounding Sajet’s position following Trump’s announcement of her termination on Truth Social, she continued to report to work. The Smithsonian later clarified that only Secretary Lonnie Bunch had the authority, with advice from the Board of Regents, to make personnel changes to uphold the institution’s nonpartisan reputation.
Bunch praised Sajet for her significant contributions to the NPG, including initiatives such as establishing the museum’s first dance company in residence, creating the Portrait of a Nation Award to honor individuals like Dr. Anthony Fauci and Serena Williams, and launching the popular Portraits podcast.
Sajet’s resignation comes amidst ongoing concerns over an executive order issued by Trump aimed at removing what he deemed as divisive or anti-American ideologies from the Smithsonian Institution. This move has raised questions about the institution’s independence, given its reliance on congressional appropriations for funding.
In a 2015 interview with the Washington Post, Sajet emphasized her efforts to make the NPG more inclusive by incorporating Spanish into communications and diversifying the range of portrait subjects in the collection.
As Sajet bids farewell to her role, she reflected on the collaborative efforts to tell a more comprehensive American story that fosters connection and understanding. Hyperallergic has reached out to Sajet for further comment on her resignation.
