Outrage As Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden Abruptly Fired By Trump: ‘It’s A Disgrace’

In a move that has sent shockwaves through the nation’s cultural and political communities, President Donald Trump abruptly fired Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden on Thursday, May 8, 2025, less than a year before the end of her 10-year term.

According to an email quoted by NBC News, Trent Morse, deputy director of presidential personnel, informed Hayden of her immediate termination:

“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.”

Robert Newlen, the Library’s Principal Deputy Librarian, informed staff via email that he would assume the role of acting Librarian of Congress “until further instruction.” A Library spokesperson confirmed Hayden’s dismissal later that evening.

Hayden, who was appointed by President Barack Obama in 2016 and confirmed in a bipartisan Senate vote of 74-18, made history as the first woman and the first African American to lead the Library of Congress. She was also the first librarian appointed under a 10-year term limit, following a 2015 law signed by Obama ending the role’s traditional lifetime tenure.

Before her appointment, Hayden served as CEO of the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore, where she built a reputation as a champion of public access and modernization. Just days before her firing, she testified before both the Senate Appropriations Committee and the House Administration Committee, highlighting ongoing efforts to digitize the Library’s collections and improve accessibility.

Her sudden termination follows a familiar pattern under Trump’s leadership. Earlier this week, Cameron Hamilton, acting director of FEMA, was also dismissed shortly after testifying before Congress.

The firing has sparked a political firestorm on Capitol Hill, especially among Democrats who view the move as retaliatory and ideologically driven.

Rep. Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.), ranking member of the House Administration Committee, called Hayden “an American hero” and criticized Trump for targeting a dedicated public servant.

“I plan to introduce legislation to guarantee that the Librarian of Congress is appointed by Congress,” he said.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer echoed the sentiment, suggesting the role be filled by a Congressional commission instead of the president.

“Trump’s decision is his latest foray in his relentless campaign to dismantle the guardrails of our democracy,” Schumer said.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) was even more blunt.

“Donald Trump’s unjust decision to fire Dr. Hayden in an email sent by a random political hack is a disgrace,” he said, accusing the former president of continuing “his ongoing effort to ban books, whitewash American history, and turn back the clock.”

Conservative organizations, however, celebrated the move. The American Accountability Foundation, a right-wing watchdog group, had recently accused Hayden of being “woke” and criticized her for supporting access to books on gender identity and racial history.

“THANK YOU @POTUS !!!! Woke & radical Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden has been fired,” the group posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Hayden’s firing raises deeper concerns about politicizing historically apolitical institutions and adds to growing fears over intellectual freedom and censorship.

As the Library of Congress enters a period of uncertainty, lawmakers and library advocates are already pushing to ensure that the position of Librarian of Congress remains independent from partisan interference.