President Trump fires Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden

Published: Friday, May 9, 2025 at 5:18 am

Trump Fires Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden, Sparking Outrage

President Donald Trump has fired Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden, a move that has ignited a firestorm of criticism from Democrats. The abrupt dismissal, delivered via email, comes as part of a broader pattern of Trump removing officials perceived as opposing his agenda.

Hayden, appointed in 2016 and the first woman and African American to hold the position, was informed of her termination late Thursday. Her ten-year term was set to expire next year. The firing followed criticism from the conservative group American Accountability Foundation, which accused Hayden of promoting "radical" content in children's books and materials by Trump opponents.

Democrats have strongly condemned the decision. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer called Hayden a "trailblazer" and a "public servant of the highest order." Other Democratic leaders, including Rep. Rosa DeLauro and Rep. Joseph Morelle, echoed these sentiments, highlighting Hayden's contributions to modernizing the Library and making it more accessible. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries accused Trump of attempting to "ban books, whitewash American history and turn back the clock."

The Library of Congress, a vital institution housing the nation's vast collection of books, historical documents, and artifacts, is now under the temporary leadership of Robert Newlen, the principal deputy librarian. The firing of Hayden is seen as part of a larger trend of Trump removing officials who do not align with his agenda, including in the Justice Department, the Pentagon, and FEMA.

BNN's Perspective: While the right to appoint and remove officials is inherent to the presidency, the manner of Hayden's dismissal, particularly the abrupt email notification, raises concerns. The accusations against Hayden, and the timing of the firing, suggest a politically motivated decision. While it's important to ensure alignment with the administration's goals, such actions can undermine the integrity and independence of important institutions like the Library of Congress.

Keywords: Trump, Carla Hayden, Librarian of Congress, fired, dismissal, Democrats, Library of Congress, American Accountability Foundation, political, agenda, books, history, government, firing, Chuck Schumer, Rosa DeLauro, Hakeem Jeffries, Robert Newlen, conservative, federal government, Washington, D.C.

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