On Thursday, President Donald Trump terminated Carla Hayden, the Librarian of Congress, effective immediately. The decision was communicated through an email from Trent Morse, deputy director of presidential personnel, which was shared with congressional Democrats and subsequently obtained by NBC News. In light of Hayden’s dismissal, Principal Deputy Librarian Robert Newlen will temporarily assume her duties until further notice.
Hayden, appointed by Barack Obama in February 2016, was the 14th Librarian of Congress and the first woman and African American to hold the position. She had been a vocal advocate for modernizing the library’s services and systems during her tenure. Notably, she was the first Librarian not appointed for life, following a 2015 law establishing a 10-year term, which was set to end next year.
Her abrupt firing drew significant criticism from Democratic lawmakers, with Rep. Joe Morelle labeling it an unfair attack on a dedicated public servant. He indicated plans to introduce legislation to ensure the Librarian of Congress is appointed by Congress instead of the president. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer echoed this sentiment, advocating for a congressional appointment process to safeguard the position from political whims.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries condemned the dismissal as “ignorant,” arguing it could hinder library services and protect American copyrights. The American Accountability Foundation, a conservative nonprofit that had criticized Hayden for allegedly promoting “woke” ideologies, praised her firing. Overall, her dismissal marked another contentious moment amid rising partisan tensions over federal appointments.
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