Kim Sajet faces political pressure from Trump administration

Kim Sajet, the Melbourne-raised former director of the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, faced significant political pressure from the Trump administration. President Donald Trump targeted Sajet, labeling her “highly partisan” and a supporter of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Vice President JD Vance also criticized her, describing her as a “left-wing crazy person.”

The friction stemmed from Sajet’s past political donations to the Democratic Party and her 2016 decision to reject a large pro-Trump portrait by artist Julian Raven. The administration has characterized the broader Smithsonian leadership as being driven by a “radical, activist ideology.”

Sajet has noted that the political scrutiny continues within the institution, as other leaders, such as Anthea Hartig, director of the National Museum of American History, have also faced questioning on Capitol Hill.