Strong reaction ensued upon what many in Baltimore believe is a callous firing by the Trump administration of the 14th librarian of Congress.How she found outCarla Hayden was notified in an email late Thursday from the White House’s Presidential Personnel Office, according to an email obtained by The Associated Press.”Carla,” the email began. “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.”A spokesperson for the Library of Congress confirmed that the White House told Hayden she was dismissed.Confirmed by the Senate to the job in 2016, Hayden was the first woman and the first African American to be librarian of Congress.Conservative group alleges ‘woke’ ideologyHayden, whose 10-year term was set to expire next year, had come under backlash from the American Accountability Foundation, a conservative advocacy group, that accused her and other library leaders of promoting children’s books with “radical” content and literary material authored by Trump opponents.”The current #LibrarianOfCongress Carla Hayden is woke, anti-Trump, and promotes trans-ing kids,” the American Accountability Foundation posted on X earlier Thursday, just hours before the firing was made public. “It’s time to get her OUT and hire a new guy for the job!”Democratic Congressional leaders said they believe the group advised the White House to fire Hayden. The group is investigating political appointees suspected of being hostile to President Trump’s policies. The White House defended the firing Friday at a White House press briefing.”We felt she did not fit the needs of the American people,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, per CNN. “There were quite disturbing things that she had done at the Library of Congress in pursuit of (diversity, equity and inclusion), and putting inappropriate books in the library for children, and we don’t believe she was serving the interest of the American taxpayer well, so she was removed from her position and the president was well within his rights to do that.”Her deep ties to BaltimoreBefore her tenure at the Library of Congress, Hayden served as CEO of Baltimore’s Enoch Pratt Free Library for two decades. Its board called her a trailblazer, a visionary leader and tireless advocate for equity in the pursuit of information.Hayden’s friends told 11 News that she expanded public access, brought Baltimore’s library system into the 21st century and made the institution more inclusive and accessible.Hayden explained her passion for her job in a recent post on X, saying libraries are a great equalizer: “Libraries have been the vehicle for opening up the world for me. They’ve changed my life in many ways all through my life because they have allowed me the opportunity to learn about other places and people, but also about myself.”Reaction was swift: ‘Outrageous action’The unexpected move by Trump infuriated congressional Democrats, who initially disclosed the firing.U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Maryland, called the firing outrageous.”I would argue (it’s) a violation of separation of powers. This is the Library of Congress. It is not the library of the White House,” Van Hollen told 11 News on Friday. “This is an outrageous action. It is another example of Trump being the authoritarian leader.”11 TV Hill archive video below: Honoring Carla Hayden (2017)Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-District 3, the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, said Hayden was “callously fired” by Trump and demanded an explanation from the administration as to why she was dismissed.House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-District 8, from New York, applauded Hayden as “an accomplished, principled and distinguished Librarian of Congress.””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.”U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-New Mexico, the top Democrat on the Senate panel that oversees funding for the library, said the firing, which he said came at 6:56 p.m., was “taking his assault on America’s libraries to a new level.”While 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,” Heinrich added.What the Library of Congress doesThe Library of Congress makes available to lawmakers and the public its vast array of historical documents, such as the papers of nearly two dozen presidents and more than three dozen Supreme Court justices.It also holds collections of rare books, prints and photographs, as well as valuable artifacts, like a flute owned by President James Madison, which the singer and rapper Lizzo played in a 2022 performance arranged by Hayden. What’s next for the Library of CongressRobert Newlen, the principal deputy librarian, said he would serve as acting librarian of Congress “until further instruction” in a separate email seen by the AP.”I promise to keep everyone informed,” he wrote to colleagues.At a gala Wednesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio joked that he has assumed three other positions in the Trump administration as national security adviser, acting archivist and acting director of the U.S. Agency for International Development. During his remarks at the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute event, he said leading the Library of Congress “would be a good job,” then paused and jokingly proposed Florida Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-District 26, for the position.”You know what would be good? Library of Congress. That would be a good job,” Rubio said. “Acting librarian Mario Diaz-Balart. Do you want it?”Baltimore’s Enoch Pratt Free Library releases statement”The Enoch Pratt Free Library stands in deep admiration and unwavering support of Dr. Carla Hayden. A visionary leader and tireless advocate for equity in access to information, Dr. Hayden’s legacy is felt across every corner of our city, and far beyond it.”As CEO of the Enoch Pratt Free Library for over two decades, Dr. Hayden led our institution through transformative growth, ensuring libraries remained vital civic spaces open and welcoming to all. Her leadership during crises — from budget shortfalls to civil unrest — reflected a steadfast belief in the power of libraries to bring communities together, provide refuge, and spark opportunity.”When Dr. Hayden became the 14th Librarian of Congress — the first woman and first African American to ever hold that position — she once again broke barriers and redefined what leadership in libraries could look like. Her tenure at the Library of Congress has been marked by expanded public access, modernization and a commitment to making one of the nation’s most treasured institutions more inclusive and accessible.”Dr. Hayden’s contributions to Baltimore, to the library profession and to the nation are indelible. We honor her trailblazing service and thank her for the path she has carved for future generations of librarians and public servants. The Pratt Library will always be proud to call her one of our own.”We stand with Dr. Hayden with gratitude, respect and admiration.”The Associated Press contributed to this report
Strong reaction ensued upon what many in Baltimore believe is a callous firing by the Trump administration of the 14th librarian of Congress.
How she found out
Carla Hayden was notified in an email late Thursday from the White House’s Presidential Personnel Office, according to an email obtained by The Associated Press.
“Carla,” the email began. “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.”
A spokesperson for the Library of Congress confirmed that the White House told Hayden she was dismissed.
Confirmed by the Senate to the job in 2016, Hayden was the first woman and the first African American to be librarian of Congress.
Conservative group alleges ‘woke’ ideology
Hayden, whose 10-year term was set to expire next year, had come under backlash from the American Accountability Foundation, a conservative advocacy group, that accused her and other library leaders of promoting children’s books with “radical” content and literary material authored by Trump opponents.
“The current #LibrarianOfCongress Carla Hayden is woke, anti-Trump, and promotes trans-ing kids,” the American Accountability Foundation posted on X earlier Thursday, just hours before the firing was made public. “It’s time to get her OUT and hire a new guy for the job!”
Democratic Congressional leaders said they believe the group advised the White House to fire Hayden. The group is investigating political appointees suspected of being hostile to President Trump’s policies.
The White House defended the firing Friday at a White House press briefing.
“We felt she did not fit the needs of the American people,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, per CNN. “There were quite disturbing things that she had done at the Library of Congress in pursuit of (diversity, equity and inclusion), and putting inappropriate books in the library for children, and we don’t believe she was serving the interest of the American taxpayer well, so she was removed from her position and the president was well within his rights to do that.”
Her deep ties to Baltimore
Before her tenure at the Library of Congress, Hayden served as CEO of Baltimore’s Enoch Pratt Free Library for two decades. Its board called her a trailblazer, a visionary leader and tireless advocate for equity in the pursuit of information.
Hayden’s friends told 11 News that she expanded public access, brought Baltimore’s library system into the 21st century and made the institution more inclusive and accessible.
Hayden explained her passion for her job in a recent post on X, saying libraries are a great equalizer: “Libraries have been the vehicle for opening up the world for me. They’ve changed my life in many ways all through my life because they have allowed me the opportunity to learn about other places and people, but also about myself.”
Reaction was swift: ‘Outrageous action’
The unexpected move by Trump infuriated congressional Democrats, who initially disclosed the firing.
U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Maryland, called the firing outrageous.
“I would argue (it’s) a violation of separation of powers. This is the Library of Congress. It is not the library of the White House,” Van Hollen told 11 News on Friday. “This is an outrageous action. It is another example of Trump being the authoritarian leader.”
11 TV Hill archive video below: Honoring Carla Hayden (2017)
Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-District 3, the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, said Hayden was “callously fired” by Trump and demanded an explanation from the administration as to why she was dismissed.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-District 8, from New York, applauded Hayden as “an accomplished, principled and distinguished Librarian of Congress.”
“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.”
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You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
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You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
This content is imported from Twitter.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-New Mexico, the top Democrat on the Senate panel that oversees funding for the library, said the firing, which he said came at 6:56 p.m., was “taking his assault on America’s libraries to a new level.”
While 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,” Heinrich added.
What the Library of Congress does
The Library of Congress makes available to lawmakers and the public its vast array of historical documents, such as the papers of nearly two dozen presidents and more than three dozen Supreme Court justices.
It also holds collections of rare books, prints and photographs, as well as valuable artifacts, like a flute owned by President James Madison, which the singer and rapper Lizzo played in a 2022 performance arranged by Hayden.
What’s next for the Library of Congress
Robert Newlen, the principal deputy librarian, said he would serve as acting librarian of Congress “until further instruction” in a separate email seen by the AP.
“I promise to keep everyone informed,” he wrote to colleagues.
At a gala Wednesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio joked that he has assumed three other positions in the Trump administration as national security adviser, acting archivist and acting director of the U.S. Agency for International Development. During his remarks at the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute event, he said leading the Library of Congress “would be a good job,” then paused and jokingly proposed Florida Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-District 26, for the position.
“You know what would be good? Library of Congress. That would be a good job,” Rubio said. “Acting librarian Mario Diaz-Balart. Do you want it?”
Baltimore’s Enoch Pratt Free Library releases statement
“The Enoch Pratt Free Library stands in deep admiration and unwavering support of Dr. Carla Hayden. A visionary leader and tireless advocate for equity in access to information, Dr. Hayden’s legacy is felt across every corner of our city, and far beyond it.
“As CEO of the Enoch Pratt Free Library for over two decades, Dr. Hayden led our institution through transformative growth, ensuring libraries remained vital civic spaces open and welcoming to all. Her leadership during crises — from budget shortfalls to civil unrest — reflected a steadfast belief in the power of libraries to bring communities together, provide refuge, and spark opportunity.
“When Dr. Hayden became the 14th Librarian of Congress — the first woman and first African American to ever hold that position — she once again broke barriers and redefined what leadership in libraries could look like. Her tenure at the Library of Congress has been marked by expanded public access, modernization and a commitment to making one of the nation’s most treasured institutions more inclusive and accessible.
“Dr. Hayden’s contributions to Baltimore, to the library profession and to the nation are indelible. We honor her trailblazing service and thank her for the path she has carved for future generations of librarians and public servants. The Pratt Library will always be proud to call her one of our own.
“We stand with Dr. Hayden with gratitude, respect and admiration.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report
