On Thursday, President Donald Trump terminated Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden, effective immediately. The news was conveyed through an email from Trent Morse, deputy director of presidential personnel, which was shared with congressional Democrats and later confirmed by the Library of Congress. Following her dismissal, Principal Deputy Librarian Robert Newlen will assume the acting Librarian duties until further notice.
Carla Hayden, appointed by President Barack Obama in 2016, was the 14th Librarian of Congress and notably the first woman and first African American to hold the position. She led significant modernization efforts at the Library, advocating for updated systems and processes. Despite her contributions, she was ousted shortly after testifying before Congress, making her the second official to be dismissed after recent congressional testimonies.
Democrats have condemned Hayden’s firing, with Rep. Joe Morelle criticizing it as an unjust attack on a dedicated public servant. He plans to introduce legislation to change the appointment of the Librarian from a presidential to a congressional process. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer echoed this sentiment, asserting the necessity of congressional control over such appointments to prevent misuse. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries referred to the decision as “ignorant,” warning of its potential negative impacts on libraries and public service.
Conversely, the conservative group American Accountability Foundation, which had criticized Hayden for alleged “wokeness,” praised her firing, reflecting the polarizing nature of the decision. The controversial dismissal has reignited debates around the politicization of federal appointments and the role of government institutions.
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