The National Portrait Gallery director Kim Sajet is resigning from her post two weeks after President Trump tried to fire her and accused her of being “highly partisan” and supportive of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts.
“We are grateful to Kim for leading the National Portrait Gallery with passion and creativity for 12 years. Throughout her tenure, she has reimagined and reshaped the impact and storytelling of portraiture,” Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III said in an internal memo on Friday morning, which was obtained by The Hill.
Bunch said that Kim, an Australian native and the first woman to helm the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, made “lasting contributions to the Institution, including the expansion of the national collection with key acquisitions—such as the earliest known daguerreotype of First Lady Dolley Madison, dating back to 1846.”
The internal memo also included statements from Sajet, who is also a citizen of the Netherlands, expressing that it has been “the honor of a lifetime” to head the gallery.
“This was not an easy decision, but I believe it is the right one. From the very beginning, my guiding principle has been to put the museum first. Today, I believe that stepping aside is the best way to serve the institution I hold so deeply in my heart,” Sajet said. “The role of a museum director has never been about one individual—it is a shared mission, driven by the passion, creativity, and dedication of an extraordinary team.”
Sajet’s resignation came two weeks after Trump said that he was terminating the National Portrait Gallery director, arguing she is a partisan actor and a “strong supporter” of DEI initiatives, “which is totally inappropriate for her position.”
The White House has pointed to Sajet’s political contributions to Democratic lawmakers and party groups. Sajet has dished out donations to former President Biden, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Emily’s List, a PAC that works on electing female Democratic candidates, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and others, according to Federal Election Commission filings.
On Monday, the Smithsonian said that it holds authority over personnel decisions.
“The board is entrusted with the governance and independence of the Institution, and the board appoints a Secretary to manage the Institution,” it said in a statement. “All personnel decisions are made by and subject to the direction of the Secretary, with oversight by the Board. Lonnie G. Bunch, the Secretary, has the support of the Board of Regents in his authority and management of the Smithsonian.”
Bunch wrote in the memo that Kevin Gover, the under secretary for museums and culture, will work as the next acting director.
“On day one, President Trump made clear that there is no place for dangerous anti-American ideology in our government and institutions. In align with this objective, he ordered the termination of Kim Sajet,” White House spokesperson David Ingle told The Hill in an emailed statement on Friday.
“The Trump Administration is committed to restoring American greatness and celebrating our nation’s proud history," Ingle added.
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