The Smithsonian issued a statement Monday saying that it controls its personnel decisions after President Donald Trump announced in May that he was ousting National Portrait Gallery director Kim Sajet.
The Smithsonian said in the statement that all of its personnel decisions “are made by and subject to the direction of the Secretary, with oversight by the Board.” The statement came after Trump announced on May 30 that he was firing Sajet, who he referred to as a “highly partisan person” and a “strong supporter of DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion).”
“Since its inception, the Smithsonian has set out to be a nonpartisan institution,” the Smithsonian wrote in its statement. “As the nation’s museum, the Smithsonian must be a welcoming place of knowledge and discovery for all Americans. The Board of Regents is committed to ensuring that the Smithsonian is a beacon of scholarship free from political or partisan influence, and we recognize that our institution can and must do more to further these foundational values.”
“To reinforce our nonpartisan stature, the Board of Regents has directed the Secretary to articulate specific expectations to museum directors and staff regarding content in Smithsonian museums, give directors reasonable time to make any needed changes to ensure unbiased content, and to report back to the Board on progress and any needed personnel changes based on success or lack thereof in making the needed changes,” the Smithsonian wrote further.
Trump signed an executive order in March to revamp the Smithsonian, stating that his administration will “restore the Smithsonian Institution to its rightful place as a symbol of inspiration and American greatness.”
The Smithsonian’s statement added that its Board of Regents will continue “vigilant, independent oversight of the Smithsonian and its museums to protect their rigorous scholarship and expertise, nonpartisanship, and accuracy, and ensure that the Smithsonian is welcoming to all Americans.”
A spokesperson for the Smithsonian told the Daily Caller News Foundation that their Monday statement was “a result of the action taken in the Board meeting.”
“In recent weeks, important concerns have been raised about partisanship within our institution,” Lonnie Bunch,
secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, said in a statement provided to the DCNF. “While the vast majority of our content is rooted in meticulous research and thoughtful analysis of history and facts, we recognize that, on occasion, some of our work has not aligned with our institutional values of scholarship, even-handedness and nonpartisanship. For that, we must all work to do better.”
“In the past, we have sought the unvarnished truth together,” Bunch added. “Today I am charging us as an institution to look at the unvarnished self. We need a clear vision of what exhibitions and programs explore, how they educate and involve visitors, and how our presentations bring a contemporary resonance to historical narratives, cultural events, and scientific discovery. We must ensure that an inclusive vision extends to all Americans and visitors. Our institution must be a place where people feel inspired and challenged, but most importantly feel welcome. As the nation’s museum, we must be the exemplar. It is our charge, our privilege, and our responsibility. As directed by the Board of Regents, we will undertake an assessment of the Institution, evaluating the need for any changes to policies, procedures, or personnel, and I will share our findings and recommendations with the Board. As always, we thank the President and Congress for their steady commitment to the Smithsonian and to preserving it for our visitors and our country.”
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect the comment from the Smithsonian.
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