Smithsonian Museum managed to enrage Donald Trump because he just took a decision which isn’t even remotely legal

President Trump has announced that he’s firing the head of the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery after her 12-year tenure. Trump made the announcement on social media, stating that Kim Sajet’s support of DEI is “totally inappropriate,” and for that reason, he believes she can no longer remain in her role.

Trump has been a vocal critic of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, often blaming it for various societal problems. On Truth Social, he claimed that Sajet is “partisan” and therefore unfit to remain in her role — at least, in his view. It’s worth noting that Kim Sajet is the first woman to lead the National Portrait Gallery in its long, storied history. The fact that her support for DEI is being cited as grounds for her dismissal not only undermines the GOP’s claims that DEI promotes incompetence — it also raises serious questions about whether this firing is even legal in the first place.

Unclear what this is actually about. Also unclear how it’s remotely legal. pic.twitter.com/FAXeFz73rf

— Andrew Feinberg (@AndrewFeinberg) May 30, 2025

The Trump administration has already stumbled in its attempts to dismantle diversity programs, and this latest move has led to fresh scrutiny. The Guardian reports that Trump gave no evidence of Sajet’s supposed partisanship, but speculates that the firing may be linked to a particular caption on his official portrait referencing Jan. 6.

Trump has recently doubled down on defending the legacy of the January 6th insurrection, even going so far as to pardon many of its perpetrators. Meanwhile, Sajet — who has worked in the art world since moving to the U.S. in 1997 — has held leadership roles at several museums. Speaking about her approach to running the National Portrait Gallery, she once said she aims to be “very even-handed,” acknowledging that every viewer will bring their own perspective to the legacy of any American president.

The caption that allegedly ruffled Trump’s feathers in part reads: “Impeached twice, on charges of abuse of power and incitement of insurrection after supporters attacked the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, he was acquitted by the Senate in both trials.” Trump hasn’t publicly cited this as his reason for the firing — but it does offer a likely clue as to what set him off.

Legal experts argue that Trump doesn’t actually have the authority to fire Sajet. The National Portrait Gallery, as part of the Smithsonian Institution, falls outside the direct control of the executive branch.

This also isn’t Trump’s first clash with museums. Upon beginning his second term, he ordered the removal of what he called “anti-American ideology” from Smithsonian exhibits. His problem seems less about museums themselves and more about how he is remembered in them. Rather than changing his behavior or approach to public service, Trump appears determined to go after the people who document it.

He’s applied similar tactics with reporters and even musicians. It’s a game of White House favoritism — and if you’re not playing along, the consequences can be swift and personal. Increasingly, there appears to be a pattern of retaliation toward anyone who doesn’t entertain Trump’s version of events.

As of now, it remains to be seen whether Kim Sajet will legally contest her dismissal. But the battle over history — and who gets to write it — is clearly far from over.