President Donald Trump has fired the first woman congressional librarian, Dr. Carla Hayden, after nearly a decade in the position, the Associated Press (AP) reports—and she was also the first Black person to hold the Senate-confirmed post.

Newsweek reached out to the Library of Congress via email Thursday night for comment.

Why It Matters

Since his January inauguration, Trump has enacted sweeping change with executive orders, implementing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and ridding the federal government of employees and programs he deems pose a threat to his agenda.

In resistance to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, the Trump administration has targeted programs and notably deleted thousands of pages on government websites highlighting the service of women, LGBTQ+ people and those of color.

The deletions even temporarily included a page from MLB legend Jackie Robinson’s service record from the Pentagon‘s website.

Trump has also slashed DEI initiatives across the federal government by bestowing power to his Cabinet to enact the changes. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has had hundreds of books removed from the U.S. Naval Academy amid the DEI-related purge, the AP reported, citing U.S. officials.

What To Know

The dismissed Librarian of Congress Hayden, 72, was made aware of her ousting via email by the White House Presidential Personnel Office, per the AP, citing an obtained email.

“On behalf of President Donald J. Trump, I am writing to inform you that your position as the Librarian of Congress is terminated effective immediately. Thank you for your service.”

Hayden was nominated by former President Barack Obama in 2016 and her term was set to expire next year. Hayden’s firing was first announced by Democratic Representative Joe Morelle of New York on X, formerly Twitter.

She was facing mounting criticism as Trump’s second term in office unfolded, being labeled “woke” for her book selections by conservative advocacy group American Accountability Foundation, reported the AP.

Conservatives nationwide have taken aim at children’s books inside schools and libraries, sparking a culture war movement in itself.

Hayden’s online bio for the Library of Congress says: “Dr. Hayden launched the Of the People initiative, which is creating new opportunities for more Americans, especially Black, Indigenous, Hispanic or Latino, Asian American and Pacific Islander and other communities of color underrepresented in the Library’s collections, to engage with the Library and add their perspectives to the Library’s collections.”

Reacting to the news, Democrats furiously took to social media late Thursday night.

What People Are Saying

Morelle, on X Thursday night: “Tonight, President Trump fired a patriotic public servant. @LibnOfCongress has spent her entire career serving people—from helping kids learn to read to protecting some of our nation’s most precious treasures. She is an American hero.”

Morelle continued, “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.”

Democratic Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts posted to X on Thursday: “Donald Trump just fired my dear friend Dr. Carla Hayden—the Librarian of Congress—via email. This is disgraceful. The Library of Congress represents some of the best America has to offer. Equal access to learning for all.”

Democratic Representative Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut also took to X on Thursday: “Dr. Hayden is a guardian of truth – a steward of our nation’s intellectual and cultural fabric. She must be reinstated as Librarian of Congress immediately.”

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told the AP on Thursday, in part: “Donald Trump’s unjust decision to fire Dr. Hayden in an email sent by a random political hack is a disgrace and the latest in his ongoing effort to ban books, whitewash American history and turn back the clock.

The Library of Congress is the People’s Library. There will be accountability for this unprecedented assault on the American way of life sooner rather than later.”

X account American Accountability Foundation, earlier on Thursday: “Hey @POTUS, we have another job for @SecRubio! 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! 🇺🇸”

What Happens Next

Robert Newlen, interim director of the Congressional Research Service Robert, will serve as acting librarian to fill the vacancy, the AP reports.