Trump fires Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden amid more worker purges

President Trump has fired Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden amid a purge of government employees he believes oppose his policies or promote diversity.Why it matters: Hayden won praise for her focus on saving photos and documents about people of color, but had faced criticism from conservatives, accusing her of promoting children's books with "radical" content.Driving the news: AP first reported the firing late Thursday and said it came in an email from the White House's Presidential Personnel Office, which a White House source familiar with the situation confirmed to Axios. No reason was given for her dismissal, per AP. Democrats including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) denounced Hayden's firing."Dr. Hayden is a trailblazer, a scholar, and a public servant of the highest order. She brought integrity, vision, and truth to the Library of Congress," Schumer said in a statement.Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) said on X that Hayden's dismissal takes Trump's "assault on America's libraries to a new level."State of play: The Trump administration has dismissed federal workers and purged government websites about communities of color following several of the president's executive orders.The orders follow the administration's reinterpretations of Civil Rights-era laws to focus on "anti-white racism" rather than discrimination against people of color.In March, a group of federal employees who were fired for participating in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) activities filed a complaint to regain their jobs and their back pay.Zoom in: Hayden, whose 10-year term was set to expire next year, was the first woman and Black American to be the Librarian of Congress.She was only the 14th Librarian of Congress in history since the Library of Congress was established in 1800.Hayden had led Baltimore's library system before coming to the Library of Congress.The intrigue: Under her leadership, the Library of Congress promoted works and collections from people of color.The library announced it had acquired the photographs and manuscripts of pioneering Chicano journalist Raúl Ruiz. Yes, but: Conservative MAGA influencers and groups have repeatedly attacked Hayden for the Library of Congress's posts and collections.Context: The Library of Congress makes available historical documents, such as the papers of presidents and Supreme Court justices.It also collects music for its National Recording Registry.Last month, it inducted Vicente Fernández's "El Rey," Freddy Fender's "Before the Next Teardrop Falls" and the "Hamilton" soundtrack, by Lin-Manuel Miranda, into the National Recording Registry.Go deeper: Hidden treasures at the Library of Congress, revealed

Comments

World news

MAGA in meltdown as 66/1 anti-Trump outsider becomes first American Pope

Express

Comments

Similar News

US and UK agree deal slashing Trump tariffs on cars and metals

Trump Officials Seek to Bring First White Afrikaner Refugees to U.S. Next Week

Ukraine-Russia war latest: Trump joins Zelensky in demanding 30-day ceasefire after ‘warm’ VE Day phone call

Trump admin moves to oust 1,000 trans people from the military after Supreme Court ruling

Trump threatens Mattel with 100% tariffs as doll fallout escalates: ‘He won’t sell one toy in the US’

New pope's social media posts suggest disagreement with the Trump administration

Trump's internal millionaires' monologue

Trump again urges ceasefire in Russia-Ukraine war, threatens sanctions

Trump boasts of ‘great’ trade deal with U.K. but key issues unresolved, global uncertainty remains

How to land a trade deal with Trump

A Day in the Live-Streamed Life of Donald Trump

Trump appoints Fox News host Jeanine Pirro as top prosecutor in DC

The truth about Trump’s new trade deal with the UK

Trump, Starmer Celebrate ‘Breakthrough’ U.S.-U.K. Trade Deal

Trump backs Ukraine’s call for 30-day ceasefire, warns of sanctions

Donald Trump 'is top name on Iran's assassination hit list' warns ex-White House chief

Watch in full: Trump announces historic US-UK trade deal

Reports of Trump deportation plans highlight abuse of migrants in Libya

Trump says talking to Fed boss Powell is like ‘talking to a wall’ in latest attack

Gaza, gay rights, abuse and Trump: How will Pope Leo XIV confront global crisis?

World news

MAGA in meltdown as 66/1 anti-Trump outsider becomes first American Pope

Satellite images show US bombers stationed within striking distance of Iran

I had my throat slit - but I played dead to survive and get justice

Rangers hit out at Trump’s plans for National Parks: ‘They’re going to be sold off’

US Air Force and Navy ‘elephant walk’ in Japan could be ‘largest seen’

Bill Gates doubles down on criticism of Elon Musk during Colbert interview and ‘looks forward’ to Trump meeting

Danish leader: 'you cannot spy against an ally' amid reports of US Greenland spying

Ukraine says it uncovered a Hungarian espionage network, two suspects arrested

2 men convicted of cutting down beloved Sycamore Gap tree in northern England in 2023

IPL suspended over rising tensions between India and Pakistan

Losing my hair sucked. Trying to regrow it has been even worse.

How does this bird know how to sew?

How Trump’s attacks on the Fed could sabotage the US economy

What challenges are in store for Pope Leo XIV?

Pope Leo XIV: What does Robert Prevost believe and stand for?

New Pope Leo holds a 'subliminal power' that could stump US President Donald Trump

5 surprising facts you didn't know about new Pope from a dividing sports fan to unexpected talent

'I survived being kidnapped, raped, disemboweled and having my throat slit'

Cleaning expert warns of 5 clothes you should never put in your washing machine

Brit dad killed doing 'world's most dangerous job' in Ukraine as tributes pour in

Pope Leo XIV could bring big change to the Catholic Church – here’s how Francis set the stage

Former Trump official Camryn Kinsey faints live on-air during Fox News interview

Leo XIV looks like a Never Trumper Republican, based on his voting record

Watch live: Pope Leo XIV holds first Mass as leader of the Catholic Church

Pope Leo watched Conclave movie and played Wordle before being elected new pontiff, brother reveals

Trump bullying Starmer has got him what he wants in US-UK trade deal, says MP

US-UK trade deal: Ask chief political commentator John Rentoul anything after historic Trump agreement

As Putin indulges in his Victory Day parade, this is his endgame in Ukraine

Is Pope Leo XIV a Chicago White Sox or Chicago Cubs fan?

Denmark's PM says 'you can't spy against an ally' after claims of US gathering intelligence on Greenland

'I was abducted, nearly decapitated, disemboweled, raped - and survived'

How did the new Pope get his name? Leo XIV's choice is 'special symbol' of Francis' legacy

'I lived next door to Robert Prevost when he was 6 - here's why I knew then he'd be Pope'

Boy, 5, 'beaten to death with belt' after uncle sees low grades on school report

Vladimir Putin seen cosying up to Chinese leader during parade as Russia marks Victory Day

Dad 'drugged and tied daughters to mattress in sick dungeon before raping them for MONTHS'

ANDY LINES 'It was chaos when white smoke confirmed Pope Leo XIV – I was elbowed by a nun!'

Sweden's incredible 'new' city being built entirely out of wood

Iran issued urgent nuclear warning as bombshell new revelations put major deal at risk

UK's wave of sanctions targets Russian ships raining on Putin's military parade

Spain holiday warning as British tourists urged to carry cash

Pete Hegseth sets speedy timeline to jettison transgender troops from military

Children arrive at Florida preschool to find nine-foot alligator in parking lot

Mexico grapples with measles outbreak amid misinformation and distrust of authorities

Who is Pope Leo XIV? Robert Prevost becomes 267th pontiff and first from the United States

Russia stages Victory Day parade as China's President Xi joins Putin in Moscow amid Ukraine war

India suspends Indian Premier League T20 cricket tournament amid Pakistan tensions

After Spain's blackout, questions about renewable energy are back

Indian and Pakistan troops swap intense artillery fire overnight

Military helicopter plunges into reservoir in Sri Lanka, killing 5

Russia’s Victory Day parade marks 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany

Six people killed after helicopter crashes into reservoir in Sri Lanka

Canada is a 'priority,' U.S. ambassador says, citing U.K. trade announcement as 'template'

Israel Is Ready to Embrace Europe’s Far Right

Woman cop goes on the run with prisoner lover - with astonishing result

Vladimir Putin 'preparing for war with NATO' within a year of ending conflict in Ukraine

Oilers beat Golden Knights 5-4 in OT, for a 2-0 series lead