President Donald Trump announced Friday that he has fired Kim Sajet, Director of the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, citing her support for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
Trump said he was “herby terminating” Sajet’s employment, calling her a “highly partisan person” and saying DEI is “totally inappropriate for her position.” The firing was posted on his Truth Social account, where he also noted a replacement would be announced soon.
Sajet, an art historian and curator, has led the gallery since 2013 and was the first woman to hold the post. During her tenure, she oversaw efforts to diversify the museum’s exhibits and collections.
The firing is part of Trump’s broader campaign against what he calls “woke ideology” in government-funded institutions. It also signals his administration’s intent to reshape cultural agencies to reflect more conservative values.
The Smithsonian has not yet commented on the firing.
