Prominent Democrats erupted in outrage Thursday night after reports confirmed that President Donald Trump had fired Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden via email, ending her nearly decade-long tenure as the nation's top librarian.
Hayden, the first woman and the first African American to lead the Library of Congress, was informed of her termination in a message from the White House Presidential Personnel Office.
The email, obtained by the Associated Press, read: “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.”
The dismissal of Hayden—an Obama-era appointee confirmed by the Senate in 2016—follows mounting conservative criticism of her leadership, particularly from the American Accountability Foundation (AAF).
Hours before the news broke, AAF had accused Hayden of promoting “radical” children’s books and literary works by Trump critics, calling her “woke” and “anti-Trump.”
The group publicly celebrated her firing on social media.
Democratic leaders swiftly condemned the move. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called the decision “unjust,” denouncing Trump’s approach as an effort to “ban books, whitewash American history, and turn back the clock.”
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer called Hayden a “trailblazer” and her removal “enough is enough.”
Other Democrats, including Rep. Rosa DeLauro and Rep. Joseph Morelle, called the firing “callous” and demanded transparency.
Sen. Martin Heinrich said the move escalated Trump's “assault on America’s libraries.”
BREAKING: President Trump just fired our nation's Librarian. My statement here: pic.twitter.com/k18qeF7YZp
— Martin Heinrich (@SenatorHeinrich) May 9, 2025
Robert Newlen, deputy librarian, will serve as acting Librarian of Congress “until further instruction,” according to a follow-up email to staff.
The Library of Congress, a cornerstone of American knowledge and history, holds collections ranging from presidential papers to rare cultural artifacts.
Hayden was widely credited with modernising the institution and expanding access through rural and digital initiatives.
Her firing is part of a broader Trump-era shake-up of government personnel.
Just hours earlier, FEMA’s acting administrator Cameron Hamilton was dismissed after opposing Trump’s proposal to dismantle the agency.
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