After Trump Fires ‘Woke’ Librarian Of Congress, Appointment Of Personal Attorney Todd Blanche Comes Under Fire

The Library of Congress faced an unprecedented shakeup last week after President Donald Trump fired Carla Hayden, abruptly ending her term as Librarian of Congress, which was set to run through 2026.

Trump’s move was part of a broader campaign to restructure the federal government and marked a direct intervention into the leadership of a cultural institution shielded by bipartisan cooperation.

Hayden, the first woman and African American to lead the library, received a brief email announcing her dismissal: “Your position as the Librarian of Congress is terminated effective immediately. Thank you for your service.” No specific reason was initially provided.

An explanation for Hayden’s firing came during a White House press briefing where Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt alleged that Hayden had “put inappropriate books in the library for children” but offered no further details.

Founded in 1800, the Library of Congress is housed in three buildings on Capitol Hill and holds more than 100 million items, including books, recordings, films and digital archives. It serves as a non-circulating research library and the country’s unofficial archive.

Critics of the move say Hayden’s termination fits into a pattern of targeting officials associated with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives, which the Trump administration has focused on “purging.”

The American Accountability Foundation, a conservative research organization, echoed support for the decision in a post on X: “The current #LibrarianOfCongress Carla Hayden is woke, anti-Trump and promotes trans-ing kids. It’s time to get her OUT and hire a new guy for the job!”

Brendan Straka, founder of the #WalkAway campaign, posted: “Trump just AXED the woke librarian pushing leftist brainwashing on America’s kids. Carla Hayden was more focused on indoctrination than information.”

Soon after the firing, Trump appointed Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, his former lead defense attorney, as acting Librarian of Congress. Blanche represented Trump in his 2024 criminal trial, which ended in a conviction on 34 felony counts.

However, the appointment was challenged internally. Robert Randolph Newlen, the Library’s principal deputy librarian, asserted his position as acting head under the agency’s succession chain. When Blanche and two deputies arrived to assume the role, Library staff reportedly blocked the transition.

Department of Justice officials visited the Library on May 11, asserting control of the agency. Library officials pushed back, and the DOJ team ultimately left without incident. Capitol Police were called but dismissed after staff determined the situation was under control.

In an internal email to staff that day, Newlen wrote, “Congress is engaged with the White House, and we have not received direction from Congress about how to move forward.” He emphasized the Library’s status as a legislative branch agency and said it would await congressional guidance.

Congressional leaders weighed in, questioning the president’s authority to make such a unilateral appointment.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-South Dakota) said, “We made it so that there is to be consultation around this,” adding, “We want to make sure congressional equities are respected and protected in this process.”

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) acknowledged Trump “likely has the authority to appoint a Librarian of Congress” but stressed that he wants “everything’s followed correctly” moving forward.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) condemned the firing as a political attack. “Donald Trump’s decision to fire Dr. Carla Hayden is the latest foray in his relentless campaign to dismantle the guardrails of our democracy and punish public servants who don’t bend to his every will,” he said.

As of now, Newlen remains acting Librarian of Congress, though the White House has not acknowledged his authority.

• Share on Facebook
• Tweet
• Submit to Reddit
• Submit to Threads
• Submit to Pinterest
• Share to Pocket

Article by Justin Schwartz