President Donald Trump dismissed Carla Hayden as Librarian of Congress on Thursday, effective immediately. The announcement was made via an email from Trent Morse, the deputy director of presidential personnel, and confirmed by a Library of Congress spokesperson. Hayden, appointed by President Barack Obama in 2016, was the first woman and African American to serve in this role, with a unique 10-year term set to expire next year.
Before her tenure, Hayden was CEO of the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore and had been actively modernizing the Library of Congress. Her recent testimony before Congress addressing these improvements coincided with her dismissal, making her the second congressional witness fired by Trump this week, following Cameron Hamilton’s exit from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Democratic leaders have criticized Hayden’s firing, arguing it targets a public servant dedicated to education and preserving national treasures. Rep. Joe Morelle described Hayden as “an American hero,” stating that he would propose legislation to change the appointment process for the Librarian of Congress to Congress rather than the president. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer echoed this, advocating for a congressional commission to handle such appointments to prevent presidential overreach.
In contrast, a conservative nonprofit praised Hayden’s termination, labeling her “woke.” They celebrated Trump’s decision, linking it to a broader cultural dispute over access to books on sensitive topics. Democrats and advocacy groups argue that this action signifies a dangerous trend undermining the integrity and independence of cultural institutions.
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