Kim Sajet, director of the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery, announced her resignation Friday, just two weeks after President Donald Trump attempted to remove her from her position. The departure marks the end of Sajet's 12-year tenure as the first woman to lead the prestigious institution.
According to the Washington Examiner, Sajet did not directly reference Trump or his public attempt to fire her in her resignation statement. Instead, she emphasized her commitment to putting the museum's interests first.
In a memo obtained by the New York Times, Sajet wrote: "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."
The resignation comes amid tensions between the White House and the Smithsonian Institution over who has the authority to make personnel decisions at the federally funded but independently operated museum complex.
Trump announced his intention to fire Sajet in May through a post on Truth Social, where he characterized her as "a highly partisan person, and a strong supporter of DEI." The move aligned with his March executive order aimed at removing what he termed "improper ideology" from Smithsonian institutions.
The Smithsonian quickly challenged the president's authority, asserting that as an independent organization created by Congress, the president lacks the power to directly fire its employees. This position was reaffirmed in a statement released Monday by the Smithsonian's Board of Regents.
Lonnie G. Bunch III, Secretary of the Smithsonian, acknowledged Sajet's departure in a note to staff, thanking her for her years of service to the institution.
"She put the needs of the Institution above her own, and for that we thank her," Bunch wrote in his message to Smithsonian employees, highlighting the selfless nature of her decision to step down amid the controversy.
Kevin Gover, the Smithsonian's undersecretary for museums and culture, will temporarily fill the role as acting director of the National Portrait Gallery while a search for a permanent replacement is conducted. The transition comes at a delicate time for the institution.
The dispute over Sajet's position has raised broader questions about political influence over cultural institutions that have traditionally operated with a degree of independence from executive branch politics.
The Smithsonian Board of Regents addressed these concerns in their Monday statement, emphasizing their commitment to maintaining the institution's academic independence. "The Board of Regents is committed to ensuring that the Smithsonian is a beacon of scholarship free from political or partisan influence," the statement read.
This conflict emerges as part of a larger pattern of tension between the Trump administration and cultural institutions, particularly those perceived as promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives that have become politically contentious.
Sajet's departure represents a significant shift for the National Portrait Gallery, which she has led through major exhibitions and acquisitions since 2013, including the popular presidential portraits that have drawn record crowds.
The resignation highlights the challenges facing cultural institutions in an increasingly polarized political environment, where matters of representation and historical interpretation have become battlegrounds in broader cultural debates.
The Smithsonian now faces the task of maintaining its institutional independence while navigating political pressures. Kevin Gover will lead the gallery while the Smithsonian determines its next steps in finding a permanent director who can guide the institution through these challenging times.
