The Smithsonian Institution has firmly rejected Donald Trump’s attempt to dismiss the director of its National Portrait Gallery, emphasizing its autonomy in a direct challenge to the president. The museum’s governing board, in a statement following an emergency meeting, asserted that all personnel decisions are under the direction of the secretary, with oversight by the board, rebuffing Trump’s claim of authority over staffing decisions.

The focal point of the standoff is Kim Sajet, whom Trump purportedly fired on May 30, criticizing her as “highly partisan” and a strong advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Despite Trump’s announcement, Sajet has continued her duties, sparking a confrontation between the White House and the Smithsonian, an institution with a governance structure resistant to political interference for 178 years.

The board has expressed support for secretary Lonnie Bunch, affirming his authority and management of the Smithsonian. It also directed Bunch to ensure the museum’s content remains unbiased while highlighting the institution’s commitment to being a welcoming space for all Americans to explore knowledge and discovery.

The Smithsonian, renowned for operating 21 museums and the National Zoo, is the largest museum and research complex in the United States. Trump’s executive order in March aimed at addressing what he termed “anti-American ideology” within the museum system appears to have set the stage for the current clash. This episode is part of a broader pattern of Trump’s administration targeting cultural institutions, such as the National Endowment for the Arts and Humanities, and proposing budget cuts affecting Smithsonian entities like the Anacostia Community Museum and the National Museum of the American Latino.