Kim Sajet, director of the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., has resigned from her post after President Donald Trump claimed on social media that he had fired her. The Smithsonian Institution initially affirmed its independence, stating that only its secretary and Board of Regents control personnel decisions, and Sajet continued working. However, as of June 13, she departed the role she had held since 2013, citing her desire to put the museum first. Trump had criticized Sajet for being a supporter of DEI and for including a wall text with a portrait of him that mentioned his impeachments and the January 6 insurrection.
This resignation matters because it highlights the ongoing political pressure on cultural institutions under the Trump administration, which has targeted the Smithsonian through executive orders aimed at removing 'divisive' content and defunding parts of its network. The incident raises questions about the independence of federally affiliated museums and the limits of presidential authority over personnel at the Smithsonian, which is governed by its own Board of Regents. Sajet's departure also underscores the broader tension between museum leadership and political forces seeking to influence curatorial and interpretive decisions.