President Donald Trump has quietly fired Carla Hayden from her role as Librarian of Congress. She was the first woman and the first Black American to hold the position.
“Tonight, the White House informed Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden that she has been relieved of her position,” a Library of Congress spokesperson confirmed in a statement.
Hayden was appointed in 2016 by former President Obama. At the helm of the world’s most extensive library, she championed accessibility, digitization and outreach to underserved communities.
Donald Trump just fired my dear friend Dr. Carla Hayden—the Librarian of Congress—via email. This is disgraceful. The Library of Congress represents some of the best America has to offer. Equal access to learning for all. pic.twitter.com/inv2qJx27v
— Ed Markey (@SenMarkey) May 9, 2025
Naturally, the move has sparked swift backlash from Congressional Democrats.
“Dr. Hayden brought the Library of Congress to the people,” said Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), calling her a steward of knowledge in a time when, he argued, the Trump administration seeks to control it.
“While President Trump wants to ban books and tell Americans what to read—or not to read at all—Dr. Hayden has devoted her career to making reading and the pursuit of knowledge available to everyone,” he said, adding pointedly: “Be like Dr. Hayden.”
The President just fired our extraordinary Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden. As Chair of Senate Rules I worked closely w/her. She was dedicated to the Library and highly respected by Democratic AND Republican senators. This is an outrage and a big loss.
— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) May 9, 2025
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., also weighed in.
“Donald Trump’s unjust decision to fire Dr. Hayden in an email sent by a random political hack is a disgrace and the latest in his ongoing effort to ban books, whitewash American history and turn back the clock,” Jeffries said. “The Library of Congress is the People’s Library. There will be accountability for this unprecedented assault on the American way of life sooner rather than later.”
A copy of the termination email, received by Hayden at exactly 6:56 p.m., was also shared.
The message, signed by Deputy Director of Presidential Personnel Trent Morse, was abrupt:
“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.”
The firing follows growing pressure from the conservative nonprofit American Accountability Foundation (AAF), which in late April called for Hayden’s removal and painted her as part of the so-called “deep state.”
My statement on the unjust termination of Dr. Carla Hayden as Librarian of Congress by a failed President. pic.twitter.com/xjoD8Qc3oq
— Hakeem Jeffries (@RepJeffries) May 9, 2025
“It is time they show Carla Hayden and Shira Perlmutter the door and return an America First agenda to the nation’s intellectual property regulation,” said AAF president Tom Jones.
Hayden’s Senate confirmation in 2016, by a resounding 74-18 vote, was seen as a turning point for the Library. Her original 10-year term was due to end in 2026.
