Kim Sajet Resigns as Director of the National Portrait Gallery

• Kim Sajet has stepped down as director due to pressure from the U.S. president.
• She was the first woman in this position and led the gallery for 12 years.
• Kevin Gover has been appointed as the new acting director.

This was reported by The Guardian, CNN.

Kim Sajet's Resignation

Director of the National Portrait Gallery, Kim Sajet, announced her resignation two weeks after U.S. President Donald Trump called for her dismissal. In a post on Truth Social, Trump labeled Sajet as "highly partisan" and a supporter of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives that his administration sought to dismantle.

Lonnie Bunch, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, confirmed Sajet's resignation in an internal memo, noting her 12 years of leadership at the gallery and highlighting her passion and creativity. Sajet was the first woman to hold this position.

The resignation came after the Smithsonian Institution earlier this week emphasized its nonpartisan stance, stating that "all personnel decisions" are made by the secretary with oversight from the board. This decision emerged amid Trump's attempts to influence cultural and artistic institutions.

Sajet stated in her announcement that "this was not an easy decision, but I believe it is the right one." She emphasized that from the very beginning, her main principle was to prioritize the interests of the museum.

Kevin Gover, Under Secretary for Museums and Culture, has been appointed as the acting director of the gallery following Sajet's resignation.

Теги: США/Політика