Labor & Employment Law Daily Wrap Up, WHITE HOUSE NEWS—Trump fires Librarian of Congress, sparks outrage, (May 12, 2025)

By Brandi O. Brown, J.D.

“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,” said Senator Schumer. “Enough is enough.”

Last week, via an email arriving just before 7 p.m., the Deputy Director of Presidential Personnel wrote to the Librarian of Congress, telling her that, “[o]n behalf of” President Trump, her position was “terminated effective immediately.” Dr. Carla Hayden had been sworn in as the 14th Librarian of Congress in 2016. She was the first woman and first African American to lead the national library.

“Be like Dr. Hayden.” Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, shared the email in a press release, stating that the president’s action was “taking his assault on America’s libraries to a new level.” He stated: “While President 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.” He added, “Be like Dr. Hayden.”

Rep. Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.) posted to social media after the termination was made public, calling Dr. Hayden “an American hero” and lamenting that "President Trump’s ignorant decision will impact America’s libraries, our copyrighted economic interests, and service to the American people by threatening support for Congress. His decision is a complete disgrace."

Not a “reality TV prize.” Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer also released a statement condemning the termination of Dr. Hayden, whom he referred to as a “trailblazer, a scholar, and a public servant of the highest order.” He stated: “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 added, “Enough is enough” and explained that Congress must assert its prerogative by making the position one that is appointed by a Congressional commission and “not by presidents that treat federal appointments like reality TV prizes.”

Copyright office director too. Just a couple of days after Dr. Hayden’s termination was announced, the termination of the register of copyrights and director of the Copyright Office, Shira Perlmutter, was also made public. Perlmutter’s office had recently released an AI report, leading some to believe there was a connection.

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