Former President Trump dismissed Kim Sajet as director of the National Portrait Gallery, citing her support for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and alleging political bias.
Sajet, who led the gallery since 2013 and was its first female director, previously held major roles in U.S. and Australian art institutions.
Her firing follows similar removals of cultural leaders, including those at the Kennedy Center and the Library of Congress, as Trump moves to reshape Washington’s cultural landscape.
The Smithsonian declined to comment on Sajet’s dismissal. Trump stated a replacement will be named soon, calling her DEI stance “totally inappropriate.”