Trump Fires Librarian of Congress Amid Bipartisan Resistance

President Donald Trump abruptly fired Dr. Carla Hayden, the first woman and African American Librarian of Congress, sparking a rare bipartisan backlash over the move, which many see as politically motivated and undermining the independence of the legislative branch. Hayden, appointed by President Obama and widely respected for her career, was dismissed after pressure from right-wing groups criticizing her support of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts and opposition to book bans. Trump then appointed his former defense attorney Todd Blanche as acting librarian, a controversial decision questioned for its legality since the Library of Congress is part of the legislative branch, leading to confusion and resistance from Congress and library staff who maintain that the top career official remains in charge. The situation has ignited concerns about the separation of powers, with lawmakers from both parties pushing back against Trump's attempts to assert control over the institution and calling for an investigation to protect the Library's independence and data confidentiality. This power struggle reflects broader tensions over political influence in cultural and governmental institutions, with critics warning of potential misuse of the Library's resources and role. The controversy remains unresolved as Trump allies attempt to enforce their appointments amid resistance from Congress and library employees.