President Donald Trump just gave Kim Sajet, the National Portrait Gallery’s director, her walking papers.
The Daily Caller reported that on Friday, Trump announced Sajet’s termination, citing her partisan leanings and enthusiasm for DEI initiatives. The decision, shared via Truth Social, sent ripples through the art world.
It’s a bold move, signaling a shift away from progressive agendas in cultural institutions. Trump didn’t mince words, calling Sajet a “highly partisan person” who championed DEI policies.
He argued these stances were unfit for her role. Actions, it seems, have consequences when leadership clashes with a new administration’s vision.
The firing stemmed from recommendations by multiple individuals, Trump claimed. Details on who these advisors were remain scarce.
The vagueness adds fuel to an already fiery debate about political influence in public institutions.
Sajet, who has led the gallery since April 2013, wasn’t just any director. Her tenure saw the gallery host events centered on immigration, racial justice, and black women’s labor. These choices, while celebrated by some, clearly ruffled feathers in conservative circles.
Trump’s Truth Social post laid it bare: “Upon the request and recommendation of many people, I am hereby terminating the employment of Kim Sajet.” The swift decision suggests a broader push to realign federal institutions. No time was wasted in making this call.
Federal Election Commission data reveals Sajet’s donations to Democratic causes. These financial ties likely didn’t help her case with a Republican administration. It’s a reminder that public roles demand impartiality, or at least the appearance of it.
Under Sajet’s watch, the gallery became a stage for progressive themes. Events focused on racial identity and immigration were front and center. Critics argue this turned a national treasure into a soapbox for activism.
Sajet described her approach on LinkedIn as “exploring new ways to place personal experience & creativity at the center of learning & civic awareness.”
Noble words, but to conservatives, they reek of ideological overreach. The gallery’s mission, they say, should be art, not advocacy.
The National Portrait Gallery hasn’t responded to inquiries about the firing. Their silence speaks volumes, leaving the public to speculate on the fallout. One wonders how staff are processing this sudden upheaval.
Trump promised a replacement would be named soon. Whoever steps into Sajet’s shoes will face intense scrutiny. The next director’s priorities could reshape the gallery’s future for years.
Sajet’s ousting isn’t just about one person—it’s a flashpoint in the culture wars. Conservatives cheer the move as a stand against woke excess. Meanwhile, progressives likely see it as an attack on diversity and inclusion.
DEI, once a buzzword, is now a lightning rod. Trump’s criticism of Sajet’s support for it reflects a broader conservative push to dismantle such frameworks. The gallery, caught in the crosshairs, may be the first of many institutions to feel the heat.
Some argue Sajet’s focus on racial justice and immigration was a necessary evolution for the gallery. Others see it as a betrayal of its core mission to celebrate American portraiture. There is no room for radical and backwards racial theories in today's world.
