President Donald Trump has terminated Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden from her position, part of the ongoing efforts by the White House to remove government officials seen as opposing the president and his policies. Hayden, who made history as the first woman and first African American to hold the role, received notice of her dismissal via email from the White House’s Presidential Personnel Office. Her termination was effective immediately, as confirmed by a spokesperson for the Library of Congress.
Hayden, who was appointed by the Senate in 2016 with a 10-year term, faced criticism from a conservative advocacy group for allegedly promoting children’s books with “radical” content and works by authors critical of Trump. This group, the American Accountability Foundation, had been pushing for her removal.
This move is part of a pattern where officials across various government agencies are being ousted if they are perceived to be at odds with the president’s agenda. The firing of Hayden provoked strong reactions from congressional Democrats, with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and others condemning the decision and praising Hayden’s contributions to public service and education.
The Library of Congress, a significant institution with a vast collection of books, historical documents, and other materials, plays a crucial role in preserving the nation’s heritage and making it accessible to the public and lawmakers.
During a 2022 performance orchestrated by Hayden, singer and rapper Lizzo played a valuable artifact – a flute that once belonged to President James Madison. Democratic leaders lauded Hayden for her efforts to modernize the Library, making it more accessible through initiatives in rural communities and online. A graduate of Roosevelt University and the University of Chicago, Hayden was praised by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries as an accomplished and principled Librarian of Congress. Jeffries criticized the previous firing of Hayden by Donald Trump, stating it was part of a broader effort to restrict access to information and distort American history. Senator Martin Heinrich condemned the firing as another attack on America’s libraries, emphasizing Hayden’s dedication to providing knowledge to all. Following Hayden’s removal, Robert Newlen, the principal deputy librarian, assumed the role of acting librarian of Congress. Hayden has expressed how libraries transformed her life and views them as an important equalizer that offers opportunities for all individuals.
