President Trump said he fired a Smithsonian museum director. Can he do that?

On May 30, President Trump claimed he was firing Kim Sajet, the director of the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery.

"Upon the request and recommendation of many people, I am herby terminating the employment of Kim Sajet as Director of the National Portrait Gallery," he wrote on Truth Social. He claimed Sajet is "a highly partisan person, and a strong supporter of DEI, which is totally inappropriate for her position."

The National Portrait Gallery is dedicated to portraits of influential and iconic American figures. Of the Smithsonian's 21 museums, it is not the largest, nor is Sajet unique among its directors in spearheading exhibitions that explore American diversity.

Trump's social media post echoed an earlier executive order in which he criticized the Smithsonian for