Photo Credit: Library of Congress
Trump's abrupt firing of Dr. Clara Hayden, head of the Library of Congress--as reported below by Alternet.org--by email and without warning was a callous and disgraceful act. It is also potentially dangerous for US governance.
Not only was it disrespectful of Dr. Hayden, who is a highly educated and accomplished professional, but it also opens the Library of Congress to inappropriate personal and political influence in its mission to provide Congress with "authoritative, objective, and non-partisan analysis," including Constitution Annotated that provides analysis and interpretation of the US Constitution. The management of the Library of Congress is not an inconsequential thing.
Given that Trump is inclined to interfere in the mission and operations of other government bodies, that Dr. Hayden is replaced by a Deputy Attorney General from the Department of Justice claimed to be a "staunch, unwavering Trump loyalist" and former personal attorney to Trump, suggests that the risk is real and immediate.
Outrage as 'disgraceful' Trump abruptly fires longtime official with 'no explanation
June 07, 2025 | 12:36PM ET On May 8, President Donald Trump fired Dr. Carla Hayden — the first African-American women to head the Library of Congress — via e-mail. And four days later, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche would be taking over the position. Trump's critics argued that Blanche was picked for one reason: He's a staunch, unwavering Trump loyalist.
Hayden discussed the firing during an early June interview with CBS News' Robert Costa.
According to Hayden, "No one has talked to me directly at all from the White House. I've received no communication directly, except for that one e-mail. That's the only communication."
Costa asked if Hayden's work at the Library of Congress really ended "with one missive that's electronic," she responded, "That was it…. I was never notified beforehand and after."
The interview is generating a lot of discussion on the Elon Musk-owned X, formerly Twitter.
Costa posted, "Dr. Carla Hayden, who holds a PhD from the University of Chicago and was Librarian of Congress from 2016 until last month, says she got a brief email when she was fired. No call, no explanation. And she hasn't heard a word since then. She was the first Black woman in that job."
Attorney Holly Kurzman tweeted, "Integrity & intelligence are scorned by this administration (abomination)."
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