national portrait gallery director report work trump firing 1234744385

Kim Sajet, the director of the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., continued coming to work despite Donald Trump claiming on Truth Social that he had fired her for being a 'strong supporter of DEI.' The White House provided the Washington Post with a 17-point list of grievances against Sajet, including her exhibition of a Trump portrait caption referencing his impeachments and January 6 insurrection, her donations to Democratic causes, and her comments about diversifying the museum. The Smithsonian Institution has not yet responded, and legal experts note Trump lacks authority to fire Sajet, as he does not sit on the Smithsonian board, though Vice President J.D. Vance and the Chief Justice hold ex officio positions.