Smithsonian Portrait Gallery Director fired for promotion of DEI
The National Portrait Gallery’s Director, Kim Sajet, was dismissed by President Donald Trump due to her support for diversity, equity, adn inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which he deemed inappropriate for her role.Trump announced her firing in a Truth Social post, citing recommendations from others for her removal. Even though the Smithsonian is not directly governed by the Executive Branch, trump’s decision reflects a broader effort to eliminate DEI programs across federal institutions. Sajet, who had led the gallery since 2013 and aimed to diversify its exhibits, highlighted the complexities of identity shaped by various socio-political factors. Trump’s management had previously dismantled Biden-era DEI policies, further solidifying his stance against such initiatives.The National Portrait Gallery, established in 1962, features over 23,000 items, including portraits of every U.S. president.
Smithsonian Portrait Gallery Director fired for promotion of DEI
President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he fired National Portrait Gallery Director Kim Sajet for being “a highly partisan person, and a strong supporter of DEI.”
In a Truth Social post, Trump said several others had requested or recommended Sajet’s removal and that her support for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives was “totally inappropriate for her position.”
Trump’s move to fire Sajet, who was named director in 2013, has been called into question as the Smithsonian is not under the Executive Branch’s jurisdiction. According to the institution, the Smithsonian is a public-private partnership, with the government covering about 62% of its expenses.
Sajet, the first woman in her former role, was born in Nigeria, raised in Australia, and is a citizen of the Netherlands, according to her bio on the gallery’s website.
The bio characterizes Sajet as someone who attempted to diversify the gallery, adding that it was “not just a place to see famous Americans.”
“The museum explores identity as a social construct that has been shaped in equal measure by opportunity and ability, prejudice and fear,” her bio says.
Sajet’s removal is part of Trump’s larger initiative to shutter all DEI initiatives, which he called “radical and wasteful.” Trump rescinded several former President Joe Biden-era policies on his first day in office.
“We will terminate every diversity, equity, and inclusion program across the entire federal government,” Trump said in March.
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Biden previously mandated the government to enhance its ability to hire underrepresented groups and collect data during a five-year DEI initiative.
The National Portrait Gallery was established by Congress in 1962 and includes a portrait of every president, although it hosts over 23,000 items.
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