Trump admin on transgender issues is a ‘strategy of misdirection': Rep. McBride
Congresswoman Sarah McBride (D-DE) joins Andrea Mitchell to address the actions of the Trump administration on transgender individuals, highlighting the concerning implications for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts moving forward. McBride emphasizes that these measures also threaten the rights of transgender people.
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Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
National Portrait Gallery director resigns after Trump tried firing her
National Portrait Gallery Director Kim Sajet is resigning from her post two weeks after President Trump tried to fire her and accused her of being 'highly partisan' and supportive of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts. 'We are grateful to Kim for leading the National Portrait Gallery with passion and creativity for 12 years. Throughout her tenure, she has reimagined and reshaped the impact and storytelling of portraiture,' Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III said Friday morning in an internal memo, which was obtained by The Hill. Bunch said Sajet, an Australian native and the first woman to helm the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery, made 'lasting contributions to the Institution, including the expansion of the national collection with key acquisitions—such as the earliest known daguerreotype of First Lady Dolley Madison, dating back to 1846.' The internal memo included statements from Sajet, who is also a citizen of the Netherlands, expressing that it has been 'the honor of a lifetime' to head the gallery. 'This was not an easy decision, but I believe it is the right one. From the very beginning, my guiding principle has been to put the museum first. Today, I believe that stepping aside is the best way to serve the institution I hold so deeply in my heart,' Sajet said. 'The role of a museum director has never been about one individual—it is a shared mission, driven by the passion, creativity, and dedication of an extraordinary team.' Sajet's resignation came two weeks after Trump said he was terminating the National Portrait Gallery director, arguing she is a partisan actor and a 'strong supporter' of DEI initiatives, 'which is totally inappropriate for her position.' The White House has pointed to Sajet's political contributions to Democratic lawmakers and party groups. Sajet has dished out donations to former President Biden, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, EMILY's List — a PAC that works on electing female Democratic candidates — the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and others, according to Federal Election Commission filings. On Monday, the Smithsonian said it holds authority over personnel decisions. 'The board is entrusted with the governance and independence of the Institution, and the board appoints a Secretary to manage the Institution,' it said in a statement. 'All personnel decisions are made by and subject to the direction of the Secretary, with oversight by the Board. Lonnie G. Bunch, the Secretary, has the support of the Board of Regents in his authority and management of the Smithsonian.' Bunch wrote in the memo that Kevin Gover, the under secretary for museums and culture, will work as the next acting director. 'On day one, President Trump made clear that there is no place for dangerous anti-American ideology in our government and institutions. In align with this objective, he ordered the termination of Kim Sajet,' White House spokesperson David Ingle told The Hill in an emailed statement Friday. 'The Trump Administration is committed to restoring American greatness and celebrating our nation's proud history,' Ingle added. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Axios
3 hours ago
- Axios
Scoop: Democrats hit back at Hegseth on renaming Navy ships
House Democrats are introducing a bill that would block the U.S. Navy from renaming the USNS Harvey Milk and other ships named for civil rights figures, Axios has learned. Why it matters: The bill is a long shot, but it is the latest signal of growing animosity between congressional Democrats and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, driven in part by the Pentagon chief's anti-DEI crusade. In addition to Milk, the two-page bill would stop the Navy from renaming ships named for Cesar Chavez, Medgar Evers, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Dolores Huerta, Thurgood Marshall, Lucy Stone and Harriet Tubman. "Secretary Hegseth claims that this hateful move would return a 'warrior ethos' to the force, but renaming these ships won't help better train or equip a single servicemember," said Rep. Scott Peters (D-Calif.), who introduced the bill. State of play: Hegseth last week ordered the Navy to rename the USNS Harvey Milk in a rare move. Milk was a gay icon who served as a naval officer in the Korean War but was discharged due to his sexual orientation. He was shot and killed in 1978. The Navy is also reportedly considering renaming several other ships that are named after the civil rights leaders mentioned in Peters' bill. By the numbers: A dozen House Democrats, most notably former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who represents Milk's native San Francisco, have signed on to cosponsor the bill. It has no Republican cosponsors, however, and with the GOP in control of both chambers of Congress, it is extremely unlikely to pass. Democrats may try to roll the bill into a sweeping annual defense authorization package if they retake control of Congress in 2026. Zoom out: Democrats and Hegseth are engaged in an escalating war of words, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) having called on the defense secretary to be fired over Signalgate.
Axios
4 hours ago
- Axios
Trump administration briefed lawmakers before Israeli strikes
Trump administration officials provided classified briefings for congressional leaders before Israel struck Iran yesterday, with more planned for next week when lawmakers return to Washington, Axios has learned. Why it matters: Briefing key lawmakers is a matter of protocol. But it's also a way for the White House to guard against second-guessing from Congress, especially if U.S. forces are targeted by Iran and the conflict turns into a broader war. In briefings with senior members of Congress, White House officials have told them the administration isn't involved and doesn't think Israel attacking Iran is the appropriate thing to do at the moment, a U.S. official told Axios' Barak Ravid. Driving the news: Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) received briefings before the strikes began, according to people familiar with the matter. "Pursuant to federal law, I expect to receive a high-level briefing on the unfolding situation in the Middle East from the administration expeditiously," House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said in a statement. "However, in advance of that briefing, there are core principles that remain foundational in the Middle East theater, one of the toughest neighborhoods in the world," Jeffries said. Zoom in: Members of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence expect to be briefed by administration officials when senators return to Washington Monday afternoon, according to a person familiar with the matter. Senate Intel staff were briefed this morning, with a second briefing planned for this afternoon. Zoom out: The White House wants to ensure that Congress has real-time and accurate information on Israeli's strikes against Iran as well as Iranian response. In public, Trump officials have been clear that the U.S. did not participate In Israel's first round of attacks, which targeted Iran's military leadership and its nuclear facilities. What they're saying: Many lawmakers voiced their support for Israel, but others raised their concerns about where the conflict might head. "I applaud the bravery and audacity of Prime Minister Netanyahu, the IDF, and the Mossad. And I commend President Trump for his consistent support for Israel and opposition to Iran's nuclear program," Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), the Senate Intel Chair, said on X. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), the ranking member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee said: "Israel's strikes against Iran represent an escalation that is deeply concerning and will inevitably invite counterattacks."
