President Donald Trump has removed Kim Sajet from her role as director of the National Portrait Gallery, pointing to her strong backing of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs as the reason for her dismissal.
Sajet, who held the post since 2013 and was the gallery’s first female director, had been known for her push to expand representation of women and minorities in the museum’s exhibits. Her removal comes as part of the administration’s broader effort to roll back DEI-related policies in federal institutions, following an executive order signed earlier this year.
The order directed the elimination of DEI-focused programs, positions, and policies across government agencies and federally affiliated organizations. Trump described Sajet as “highly partisan” and criticized her initiatives as incompatible with the direction he intends for national cultural institutions.
The Smithsonian Institution, which oversees the National Portrait Gallery, has yet to issue a formal response. The firing raises questions about administrative authority, as staffing decisions at the Smithsonian are typically handled internally rather than by the White House.
Sajet’s departure is one of several leadership changes taking place under Trump’s new administration, reflecting a sharp pivot away from prior diversity-focused agendas within federally linked museums and cultural programs.