Trump Fires Carla Hayden, First Black Librarian of Congress, Sparking Outcry

On May 8, President Donald Trump abruptly dismissed Carla Hayden, the first woman and first African American to serve as Librarian of Congress. Her groundbreaking 2016 appointment marked a historic moment for American cultural leadership. The termination came via a terse evening email, sending shockwaves through academic and political circles alike. Concerns are now mounting that Lonnie Bunch, the first Black Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, could be next. These positions, traditionally nonpartisan, are being drawn into political crossfire—raising alarms about the erosion of independent cultural stewardship. “Effective immediately,” the message to Hayden read, ending nearly a decade of transformative service. As the Library of Congress confirmed the dismissal, critics are questioning the motive and message behind ousting one of the most respected voices in public knowledge and preservation.