Former President Donald Trump has dismissed Kim Sajet, the longtime Director of the National Portrait Gallery, citing her support for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and accusing her of political bias.
In a statement posted on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote:
“Upon the request and recommendation of many people, I am hereby terminating the employment of Kim Sajet as Director of the National Portrait Gallery. She is a highly partisan person, and a strong supporter of DEI, which is totally inappropriate for her position. Her replacement will be named shortly.”
The dismissal is part of Trump’s wider push to remove DEI-focused leadership from federal institutions, a campaign that has expanded rapidly since his return to the presidency in January 2025.
A Clash Over Portraits—and Narratives
One of the flashpoints in the controversy surrounding Sajet was the label accompanying Trump’s own portrait in the gallery. The text referenced both of his impeachments during his first term, while also acknowledging his return to office in 2024—making him the second U.S. president to serve nonconsecutive terms, after Grover Cleveland.
Critics of the label, including Trump allies, claimed the caption blurred the line between historical context and political commentary. While Sajet has previously stated that curatorial labels should avoid editorializing, some viewed the Trump portrait as inconsistent with that standard.
In a 2023 interview, Sajet had emphasized neutrality in museum texts: “We try very much not to editorialize… I want it to reflect historical fact.”
DEI and Public Institutions
Sajet, who was appointed in 2013, has been a vocal advocate for DEI policies and expanding the gallery’s representation of historically marginalized communities. Her 2024 keynote speech at the Richardson Symposium, titled “Racial Masquerade in American Art and Culture,” explored the intersection of race, identity, and American history.
“America has never been able to separate a person’s appearance from their potential,” she said. “Our history is filled, and continues to be, with examples of hatred, discrimination, fear, and alienation.”
In the same speech, she reflected on the hopeful symbolism of the Earth as seen from space, contrasting it with the divisions she sees in contemporary American society.
While some praised her efforts to make the gallery more inclusive, others viewed her leadership as too politically engaged for a federal cultural institution.
Wider Reshuffling in Cultural Leadership
Sajet’s removal follows other notable leadership changes in federal cultural agencies. Recently, Carla Hayden was dismissed as Librarian of Congress, and Shira Perlmutter was removed from her position as the U.S. Register of Copyrights. Both exits were abrupt, with Perlmutter reportedly learning of her termination via a direct email from the White House.
Though the administration has framed these actions as part of a move toward “merit-first” and “ideology-free” governance, critics argue that the replacements signal a deeper effort to reshape how American institutions define cultural identity and history.
Trump’s executive order signed earlier this year eliminated DEI programs across federal agencies, instructing departments to review and realign leadership, content, and funding.
What Comes Next
Kim Sajet was the first woman to lead the National Portrait Gallery. During her tenure, she oversaw significant efforts to broaden the scope of the gallery’s exhibitions, introducing works that highlighted underrepresented figures in American history and modern society.
While her supporters credit her with making the museum more reflective of contemporary America, opponents argue that her approach allowed political ideology to seep into what they believe should be a more neutral space.
With Sajet’s departure and several key leadership roles now vacant, attention turns to who will take her place—and how federal cultural institutions will evolve under the Trump administration’s renewed influence.