The Smithsonian has fired back at Donald Trump and declared itself a “nonpartisan institution” after the president attempted to meddle in the operations of the prestigious research and museum complex.

The Smithsonian says it retains the authority over personnel such as the director of the National Portrait Gallery, whose firing the president had announced.

The Smithsonian Institution late Monday issued its own declaration of independence, saying authority over its staff lies with Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch. The move follows President Trump's assertion that he was firing Kim Sajet.