Smithsonian Affirms Secretary’s Authority Over Personnel After Trump Firing Attempt

President Donald Trump claimed he had fired Kim Sajet, director of the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery, citing her as highly partisan and supportive of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. However, the Smithsonian Institution and its Board of Regents, which includes officials from all three branches of government, asserted that the president does not have the authority to make personnel decisions at the Smithsonian. They affirmed Secretary Lonnie Bunch III's exclusive power over such decisions, emphasizing the institution's independent and nonpartisan status. The Board directed Bunch to ensure museum content remains unbiased and to manage any necessary personnel changes, while Sajet continues her duties despite Trump's firing announcement. This dispute highlights ongoing tensions over political influence in federally funded cultural institutions during Trump's presidency. The Smithsonian's actions are seen as a clear effort to maintain institutional autonomy against presidential interference.