President Donald Trump fired Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden Thursday, according to a library spokesperson and an email obtained by POLITICO.
“Carla, 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,” wrote Deputy Director of Presidential Personnel Trent Morse in an email to Hayden sent at 6:56 p.m.
Hayden’s firing generated an immediate backlash from congressional Democrats. Rep. Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.), the top Democrat on the House committee that oversees the library, slammed Trump for “firing a patriotic public servant.” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries piled on, calling the decision “unjust” and a “disgrace.” Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) praised Hayden in a statement and said Trump was “taking his assault on America’s libraries to a new level.”
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Hayden became the first Black Librarian of Congress and the first woman to lead the world’s largest library after the Senate confirmed her in a 74-18 vote in 2016. Her 10-year term began that year, though she may have been eligible for renewal under rules set by Congress.
Hayden was nominated by President Barack Obama, who knew Hayden from her time at the Chicago Public Library. Immediately before being tapped as Librarian of Congress, she led the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore.
She has been a prominent public face of the Library of Congress, active on social media and expanding offerings of events at the library. She launched a strategic plan for the library and was shepherding a complete overhaul of the visitor experience, including significant structural changes to create a new way for visitors to view the iconic reading room.
Hayden faced criticism from House Republicans at a House Administration hearing Tuesday about cost increases and delays to that project.
While they serve a set term, librarians of Congress do not have any statutory protections against dismissal by the president. Morelle said he will be introducing legislation to give Congress itself sole hiring and firing power.
Congress made a similar change in recent years after delays in removing a scandal-plagued architect of the Capitol.
Gregory Svirnovskiy contributed to this report.
