Trump Fires Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden Amid Controversy Over Library Content
- 17GEN4
- May 9, 2025
- 2 min read
WASHINGTON, May 8, 2025 — President Donald Trump abruptly dismissed Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden on Thursday, a move that aligns with his administration’s ongoing efforts to remove federal officials perceived as opposing his agenda. Hayden, appointed by former President Barack Obama in 2016, was the first woman and first African American to hold the position. Her termination has sparked sharp criticism from Democratic lawmakers and library advocates, who argue it undermines the independence of the Library of Congress.
The White House notified Hayden of her dismissal via an email from the Presidential Personnel Office, stating, “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.” The email, obtained by The Associated Press, provided no specific reason for the firing. Hayden’s 10-year term was set to expire in 2026, but a 2015 law allows the president to remove the librarian with Senate approval, though no such approval was reported in this case.
The firing follows pressure from the American Accountability Foundation (AAF), a conservative watchdog group that accused Hayden of promoting “radical” content, specifically children’s books addressing sexual identity. In a post on X, AAF claimed Hayden was “woke, anti-Trump, and promotes trans-ing kids,” urging her removal. The group also criticized Hayden’s political donations to Democratic candidates, including Obama, and her appointment of Shira Perlmutter as Director of the U.S. Copyright Office, who has also donated to Democrats.
Hayden, a former chief librarian of the Chicago Public Library and leader of Baltimore’s Enoch Pratt Free Library, drew controversy for her defense of children’s books on sexual identity. In public statements, she argued that such materials are vital for supporting young readers and that librarians are “trusted people” in communities. She also participated in a 2024 roundtable on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in libraries and hosted events with scholars critical of Trump, which conservatives cited as evidence of partisan bias.
Democratic leaders condemned the firing as an attack on intellectual freedom. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) called it “a disgrace,” accusing Trump of attempting to “ban books” and “whitewash American history.” Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate panel overseeing library funding, described the move as “taking [Trump’s] assault on America’s libraries to a new level.”
The Library of Congress, often referred to as the “People’s Library,” is the world’s largest library, housing millions of books, manuscripts, and historical artifacts. Critics argue that Hayden’s dismissal threatens its role as a nonpartisan institution. The American Library Association (ALA), which had previously urged Obama to appoint a librarian to the role, has not yet commented on the firing but has historically emphasized the need for professional leadership at the library.
The White House did not respond to requests for comment on the rationale behind Hayden’s termination. The move comes amid broader efforts by the Trump administration to purge federal agencies of officials appointed by previous administrations, including recent firings in the Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights and the National Security Agency.
As of Friday, no replacement for Hayden has been announced. Her firing has reignited debates over the politicization of cultural institutions and the role of libraries in addressing sensitive social issues.
Comments