President Trump fired National Portrait Gallery Director Kim Sajet, citing her as “highly partisan,” but legal experts question if he has the authority to dismiss the leader of this prestigious Smithsonian institution.
At a Glance
- President Trump announced the dismissal of Kim Sajet, the first female director of the National Portrait Gallery, on his Truth Social platform
- Trump labeled Sajet as “highly partisan” and “a strong supporter” of diversity initiatives
- Legal experts challenge Trump’s authority to fire Sajet since the Smithsonian Institution operates outside the executive branch
- The National Portrait Gallery houses the only complete collection of presidential portraits outside the White House
- Trump previously issued an executive order to remove “improper, divisive or anti-American ideology” from Smithsonian museums
Presidential Authority Questioned in High-Profile Dismissal
On May 30, President Donald Trump announced the termination of Kim Sajet, who has served as director of the National Portrait Gallery since 2013. Announcing his Truth Social platform, Trump declared Sajet as “highly partisan” without providing specific evidence for the claim. Sajet, a Dutch art historian born in Nigeria and raised in Australia, became the first female director of the prestigious institution after holding various positions in the American art community since 1997.
Legal scholars immediately raised questions about the president’s authority to make such a personnel change. The National Portrait Gallery operates as part of the Smithsonian Institution, which functions independently from the executive branch of government. This institutional separation limits the president’s direct authority over staffing decisions within the museum system, creating a potential constitutional conflict that may need resolution.
National Treasure Under Political Scrutiny
The National Portrait Gallery, which opened in 1968, is significant in American cultural heritage. Located in Washington, it houses the only complete collection of presidential portraits outside the White House, including one of the four original “Lansdowne Portraits” of President George Washington and Kehinde Wiley’s acclaimed portrait of former President Barack Obama. The gallery’s portrayal of American presidents has become a point of contention.
Trump’s decision appears connected to his broader initiatives regarding national cultural institutions. Earlier in his second term, he issued an executive order targeting what he termed “improper, divisive or anti-American ideology” within Smithsonian museums. This directive signals a broader attempt to influence the narrative presentation within federally connected cultural institutions, raising concerns about the potential politicization of historically neutral spaces.
Balancing Historical Presentation
The gallery’s treatment of Trump himself may have factored into the decision. Current exhibition captions reference his two impeachments and subsequent acquittals, along with his historic achievement as the first president since Grover Cleveland to win nonconsecutive terms when he secured victory in 2024. Whether this factual presentation contributed to tensions remains unclear from available sources.
Sajet had previously emphasized the gallery’s commitment to balanced presentation of historical figures. As steward of America’s visual presidential legacy, the National Portrait Gallery has long walked a careful line between historical accuracy and respectful presentation of the nation’s leaders. The dismissal raises questions about how cultural institutions should navigate increasingly polarized political environments while maintaining educational and historical missions.
