President Trump announced on Friday the removal of Kim Sajet from her position as the director of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Portrait Gallery. He described her as "a highly partisan person" who supports diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which he deemed "totally inappropriate for her position."
Background on Kim Sajet
- Appointment: Sajet was appointed in 2013 by former President Barack Obama.
- Previous Role: She served as president of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.
- Origin: Born in the Netherlands and raised in Australia, Sajet has been a vocal advocate for DEI efforts at museums across Washington D.C.
Trump’s Mandate
- Trump has tasked Vice President JD Vance with overseeing efforts to eliminate what he considers improper ideology from all areas of the Smithsonian Institution.
- In March, Vance was directed to review funding for programs that promote "divisive, race-centered ideology."
DEI Initiatives and Controversies
- Sajet supported initiatives like “Portraits for All Time,” aimed at creating more inclusive portraits in museums across America.
- She signed a statement condemning Republican-led efforts to ban books about racism from school libraries, although she did not endorse specific titles.
Recent Developments in Arts Organizations
- There have been several high-profile firings and resignations at major arts organizations affiliated with the Smithsonians, including the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, where leadership changes were made to align with Trump’s administration.
- The removal of Sajet follows similar actions against other museum leaders who supported DEI initiatives, such as Naima Joubert, the outgoing director of The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, who was accused of promoting “anti-white” content.
Future Implications
It remains unclear whether other museum directors will face similar actions from Trump’s administration following the announcement of Sajet’s removal.
A spokesperson for The Smithsonian Institution did not respond to inquiries about potential appeals regarding Sajet’s removal, nor did a spokesperson for The White House comment on the matter.
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