Democratic leaders expressed strong anger late Thursday following the abrupt firing of Congressional librarian Carla Hayden by President Trump. Hayden received notification via an email from the White House earlier that evening, as revealed in an Associated Press report.
In the email, President Trump stated, “Carla, I am writing to let you know that your position as a librarian in Congress has soon ended. I would like to thank you for your service.” Hayden, who was appointed by former President Barack Obama and confirmed by the Senate in 2016, made history as the first woman and the first African American to hold the position. Her term was set to expire next year. Advocates lauded her efforts to modernize library services and enhance accessibility, particularly in rural areas and online.
Earlier on the same day, a conservative advocacy group known as the American Accountability Foundation (AAF) accused Hayden and other library leaders of promoting what they termed “radical” children’s books and materials created by critics of Trump. In a post on X, the group called for her firing, suggesting it was time to bring in a new person for the job.
This announcement elicited outrage from several prominent Democrats, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer. Jeffries described Hayden as “a skilled, principled, and well-known Congressional librarian” and condemned Trump’s choice to dismiss her via an email from “a random political hack.” He characterized the dismissal as dishonorable and part of Trump’s broader efforts to restrict access to literature and reframe American history.
Schumer praised Hayden as “a trailblazer, scholar, and civil servant of the highest order,” suggesting that such decisions were unacceptable. Representative Rosa DeLauro called the firing merciless and demanded clarification from the administration. Another Democrat, Representative Joseph Morelle, recognized Hayden’s lifelong dedication to aiding children in their reading journeys.
Senator Martin Heinrich, a leading Democrat on the committee overseeing library funding, warned that this dismissal represents an escalation of attacks on American libraries. He expressed concern about the implications for access to reading and knowledge.
The Library of Congress, which houses valuable collections of books, documents, and artifacts from U.S. history—including materials from nearly 20 presidents and many Supreme Court justices—will continue to serve the public and lawmakers, according to Robert Newlen, who will act as a representative for Congress in the interim.
Hayden’s termination raises questions about alignment with the current administration’s agenda, especially following the recent dismissal of Cameron Hamilton, the acting head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, for opposing a proposed restructuring of the agency by Trump.
Fox News Digital has reached out to both the White House and the Library of Congress for additional comments.
