President Donald Trump fired Kim Sajet, the director of the National Portrait Gallery, citing her support of DEI initiatives and partisan behavior as reasons for her termination.

At a Glance

• Trump announced Sajet’s firing through Truth Social, calling her “highly partisan” and a “strong supporter of DEI”
• White House officials noted Sajet had donated to Democratic campaigns, including Biden and Clinton
• Sajet was the first woman to serve as director of the National Portrait Gallery
• The firing aligns with Trump’s broader efforts to dismantle DEI programs across federal government
• The museum’s caption on Trump’s portrait referenced his impeachment and acquittal

Trump’s Decisive Action Against Museum Director

President Donald Trump has terminated Kim Sajet as director of the National Portrait Gallery, citing her political leanings and support for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The announcement came through Truth Social on May 30, 2025, where Trump explicitly stated that Sajet’s partisan nature made her unsuitable for the leadership role at the prestigious institution. According to the statement, the decision came “upon the request and recommendation of many people,” though specific individuals were not named in the public announcement.

“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.”, said Donald Trump.

Upon the request and recommendation of many people, I am herby 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…

— Trump Posts on 𝕏 (@trump_repost) May 30, 2025

Political Donations and Museum Decisions Under Scrutiny

A White House official provided additional context for the firing, highlighting Sajet’s political donations to Democratic campaigns, including those of Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton. The official also pointed to how the gallery handled Trump’s portrait during Sajet’s tenure, noting that the photograph of the former and current president included a caption that specifically mentioned his impeachment and subsequent acquittal. This characterization of Trump’s presidency in the museum’s official display has factored into the administration’s assessment of Sajet’s leadership.

President Trump is “terminating” the employment of Kim Sajet as Director of the National Portrait Gallery.

Trump says she is a “highly partisan person, and a strong supporter of DEI.”

“Her replacement will be named shortly.“

— Kellie Meyer (@KellieMeyerNews) May 30, 2025

Sajet’s Background and Legacy

Kim Sajet made history as the first woman to serve as director of the National Portrait Gallery, bringing her experience from previous roles at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Born in Nigeria and raised in Australia, Sajet became a U.S. citizen in 1997 and had been serving in the directorial position at the time of her termination. Her international background and extensive museum experience had been considered assets when she initially took on the role at the gallery, which houses portraits of significant American historical figures.

BREAKING: Trump terminated Director of the National Portrait Gallery, Kim Sajet

“She is a highly partisan person and a strong supporter of DEI” pic.twitter.com/rRLGvFxzii

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) May 30, 2025

Part of Broader Anti-DEI Initiatives

Sajet’s firing aligns with the Trump administration’s systematic efforts to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion programs throughout the federal government. Earlier in his term, the president signed an executive order specifically targeting DEI initiatives, ordering their removal from government operations. This directive reflects the administration’s position that such programs run counter to merit-based assessments and create inappropriate considerations in hiring, promotion, and operational decisions across federal institutions.

🚨 Trump fires “DEI” Portrait Gallery Director Kim Sajet pic.twitter.com/uyvnEDrdIL

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) May 30, 2025

Future Leadership at the National Portrait Gallery

In his announcement, President Trump indicated that a replacement for Sajet would be named shortly, though no candidates have been officially identified at this time. The National Portrait Gallery, as part of the Smithsonian Institution, holds significant cultural importance as the keeper of images representing America’s most influential historical figures. The incoming director will likely face scrutiny regarding how they balance artistic and historical considerations with the current administration’s policy priorities. The gallery’s future direction under new leadership remains a subject of interest for those who value its role in preserving American heritage.