Smithsonian makes last-ditch effort to keep its liberal bureaucrats on payroll

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, whom 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.”

The Smithsonian did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.

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