Trump fires librarian of Congress

President Donald Trump fired the librarian of Congress, Carla Hayden, via email late Thursday. Hayden’s renewable 10-year term was set to expire next year. She was the first woman and first African American to hold the position. Robert Newlen, the principal deputy librarian, will cover Hayden’s duties until further notice, according to the Associated Press.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Friday said Hayden no longer fit the administration’s needs. Hayden had supported diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and promoted inappropriate books in children’s libraries, Leavitt said.

Broadcaster and conservative activist Emerald Robinson on Friday said she had told the Trump administration to fire Hayden, due to Hayden’s connections with the American Library Association. That group organized and funded drag queen story hours around the country, Robinson said. It was not clear if Robinson’s advice played any role in the firing.

How did Democrats react? Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Hayden’s firing was the latest foray in Trump’s campaign to root out public servants who oppose him. Schumer urged members of Congress to put the appointment process for the Librarian of Congress in the hands of a congressional committee, not the president.

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