Trump Fires Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden Amid Controversy

The political landscape experienced a jolt Thursday as President Donald Trump reportedly terminated Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden, igniting a wave of condemnation from Democratic leaders. The abrupt dismissal, conveyed via an email from the White House Presidential Personnel Office, ended Hayden’s tenure prematurely.

The email, as reported by The Associated Press, stated, "On behalf of President Donald J. Trump, I am writing to inform you that your position as the Librarian of Congress is terminated effective immediately. Thank you for your service."

Hayden, appointed by former President Barack Obama and confirmed by the Senate in 2016, held the distinction of being the first woman and the first African American to serve as Librarian of Congress. Her term was slated to conclude next year. Advocates lauded her leadership for spearheading modernization efforts within the Library and enhancing accessibility through initiatives targeting rural communities and expanding online resources.

However, Hayden’s tenure faced scrutiny from the American Accountability Foundation (AAF), a conservative advocacy group. The AAF accused Hayden and other library officials of promoting children’s books containing "radical" content and literary works authored by Trump’s political adversaries.

Earlier on Thursday, mere hours before the news of Hayden’s firing surfaced, the AAF publicly criticized her on X, labeling her as "woke" and "anti-Trump." The group further accused her of promoting "trans-kids" and demanded her removal, advocating for the appointment of a "new guy for the job!"

Following the announcement of Hayden’s termination, the AAF celebrated the news on X, expressing gratitude to President Trump.

The reported dismissal triggered immediate and forceful reactions from prominent Democratic figures, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer.

Jeffries hailed Hayden as "an accomplished, principled, and distinguished Librarian of Congress." He condemned Trump’s decision as "unjust" and characterized it as "the latest in his ongoing effort to ban books, whitewash American history, and turn back the clock."

Schumer echoed Jeffries’ sentiments, denouncing the firing as unacceptable and describing Hayden as "a trailblazer, a scholar, and a public servant of the highest order."

Rep. Rosa DeLauro expressed outrage, stating that Hayden was "callously fired" by Trump and demanded a clear explanation for the decision.

Rep. Joseph Morelle, the ranking Democrat on the House Administration Committee, which oversees the Library, emphasized Hayden’s lifelong commitment to public service, highlighting her efforts to promote literacy among children and safeguard the nation’s cultural heritage.

Sen. Martin Heinrich, the top Democrat on the Senate panel responsible for funding the library, denounced the firing as an escalation of Trump’s "assault on America’s libraries." He underscored Hayden’s dedication to making reading and knowledge accessible to all.

The Library of Congress serves as the nation’s foremost repository of books and historical documents, providing access to the public and lawmakers. Its vast collection includes the papers of numerous presidents and Supreme Court justices, along with rare books, prints, photographs, and valuable artifacts.

In the wake of Hayden’s departure, Robert Newlen, the principal deputy librarian, has assumed the role of acting librarian of Congress. He assured colleagues of his commitment to keeping them informed.

Hayden’s firing is the most recent in a series of dismissals of officials perceived as not aligned with the president’s agenda.

Earlier on Thursday, Cameron Hamilton, the acting administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), was also relieved of his duties. Hamilton’s termination occurred shortly after he publicly expressed disagreement with President Trump’s proposal to dismantle the agency.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House and the Library of Congress for further clarification and comments.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

This incident underscores the increasingly polarized political climate and the heightened scrutiny faced by individuals in positions of leadership. The circumstances surrounding Hayden’s dismissal have sparked a broader debate about intellectual freedom, censorship, and the role of libraries in contemporary society. The incident has also raised questions about the politicization of traditionally non-partisan roles and the potential impact on the integrity of institutions like the Library of Congress.

The controversy surrounding Hayden’s dismissal is likely to continue to unfold as more information becomes available and as political leaders and advocacy groups on both sides of the issue weigh in. The long-term implications of this event for the Library of Congress and the broader library community remain to be seen.