Trump dismisses Carla Hayden, long-standing Librarian of Congress

Trump dismisses Carla Hayden, long-standing Librarian of Congress

Fired Away: Carla Hayden's Stunning Ouster from the Library of Congress

Carla Hayden's tenure as the 14th Librarian of Congress was coming to an end after a decade in the role. Appointed by President Barack Obama, she became the first woman and first African American to hold the position. But, on May 8, 2025, her world turned upside down with an email that left her perplexed.

The email, from someone claiming to represent President Donald J. Trump, stated that Hayden's position was terminated immediately, effective at once. "No phone call, no conversation, just that solitary email," Hayden said, "I was utterly taken aback."

Hayden shared that there had never been any notable conflicts between her and the administration, and she found the sudden dismissal peculiar. "It wasn't personal, but I couldn't fathom what might have prompted this decision," she added.

President Trump's administration has been critically targeting cultural institutions, public media, and universities as part of a push towards spending cuts and more conservative ideologies. Many view Hayden's firing as a piece of this broader tapestry.

Stepping Up: Public Outcry in Support of Dr. Hayden

A town hall meeting was held at Washington, D.C.'s Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, drawing a crowd of Hayden's supporters. Kwame Alexander, an author and speaker, vocalized the sentiments of many, "The dismissal of our esteemed Librarian of Congress, Dr. Carla Hayden, is a clear assault on our right to read, learn, and express ourselves freely. We will not be silenced. We will be bold!"

When asked about the surge in vocal and active resistance, Hayden seemed genuinely moved. "The swell of support has been humbling. People are standing up for the importance of libraries and their role in preserving knowledge for all."

But Why, You Ask?

The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, addressed the controversy, stating that Hayden was fired because she didn't cater to the "needs of the American people" and had done "quite concerning things at the Library of Congress in the pursuit of DEI and, uh, putting inappropriate books in the library for children." Hayden countered, "When I heard those comments, I was concerned that there might not have been as much of an awareness of what the Library of Congress does."

What's Up with DEI, Anyways?

Being one of the most prominent Black women in the U.S., Hayden was puzzled by the term "DEI," openly questioning its implications. "I find it peculiar to think of inclusivity as something negative," she stated. "Diversity offers choices, just like having different flavors of ice cream. I can't imagine why it should be a contentious issue."

A Book, a Spark: Carla's Lifelong Love for Reading

Although Hayden is no longer with the Library of Congress, she remains deeply connected to the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore, which she had spearheaded for over two decades. Hayden attributed her lifelong passion for reading to a library book - 'Bright April' by Marguerite De Angeli, a story about a black girl and her family. Finding herself in the book, she said, "It was like, 'Wow, this is me!' Reading stories about experiences similar to our own validates us. That's what librarians strive to achieve – a safe space where every story matters."

Hayden emphasized that libraries are not merely buildings but symbols of our founding values, carrying the torch of freedom to read and learn. With increasing attacks on intellectual freedom and diversity in our institutions, her voice echoes a urgent call to protect the core of our democracy.

Sources:

Library of CongressAmerican Library Association's Freedom to Read statementEnoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore

Story produced by Ed Forgotson. Editor: Chad Cardin.

Library of Congress

Robert CostaRobert Costa is a national correspondent for "our News Sunday Morning" and chief Washington analyst for our News.

1. The sudden news of Carla Hayden's termination from the Library of Congress on May 8, 2025, left her perplexed, as she shared that there had never been any notable conflicts with the administration.
2. President Donald J. Trump's administration's critical targeting of cultural institutions, public media, and universities is viewed as a broader reason for Hayden's dismissal by many.
3. Kwame Alexander, an author and speaker, voiced the sentiments of Hayden's supporters at a town hall meeting, stating that her dismissal is an assault on the right to read, learn, and express themselves freely.
4. The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, stated that Hayden was fired because she didn't cater to the "needs of the American people" and had done "quite concerning things" at the Library of Congress, particularly in the pursuit of DEI and placing inappropriate books in the library for children.
5. Hayden countered Leavitt's comments, questioning whether there might be a lack of awareness about what the Library of Congress does.
6. In response to the term "DEI" being used negatively, Hayden stated, "Diversity offers choices, just like having different flavors of ice cream. I can't imagine why it should be a contentious issue."
7. Hayden remains deeply connected to the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore, which she had spearheaded for over two decades, attributing her lifelong passion for reading to a library book - 'Bright April' by Marguerite De Angeli.
8. Libraries, according to Hayden, are symbols of our founding values, carrying the torch of freedom to read and learn, especially as attacks on intellectual freedom and diversity in our institutions increase.
9. President Trump's termination of Hayden could be considered a piece of a broader tapestry of policies and legislation targeting cultural institutions and traditional values.
10. Some observers see the firing of Hayden as part of a shift towards more conservative ideologies and spending cuts in education and self-development, personal growth, and other areas.
11. Job-search and career-development platforms may see a surge in interest as aspiring library professionals look for opportunities in the wake of Hayden's sudden departure.
12. Meanwhile, online-education platforms could experience increased demand as students seek alternatives to traditional institutions affected by political tensions and policy changes.

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