By Steve Neavling
President Trump’s surprise decision to fire Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden and replace her with his former defense lawyer sparked swift resistance Monday from library staff, escalating tensions between the White House and Congress, The New York Times reports.
Trump appointed Todd Blanche, a former deputy attorney general and his lead attorney during last year’s Manhattan criminal trial, as acting librarian after firing Hayden late last week. Staff refused to recognize Blanche’s authority, citing the need for congressional input.
When two Justice Department officials tapped by Blanche showed up to take senior roles at the Library of Congress, staff barred their entry, called Capitol Police, and escorted them out. The men — Paul Perkins and Brian Nieves — were denied access to the U.S. Copyright Office after presenting a letter from the White House.
The library’s staff is instead recognizing Robert Newlen, Hayden’s deputy, as the acting librarian until Congress weighs in. In a message to employees, Newlen wrote that the matter remained unresolved and that the library was awaiting direction from Congress.
The librarian of Congress is a presidential appointment that requires Senate confirmation. Democratic lawmakers condemned Trump’s move, calling it a power grab.
“It is extremely concerning that Trump sent executive branch officials from the Department of Justice to take over a legislative branch agency,” said Rep. Joseph Morelle and Sen. Alex Padilla in a joint statement.
The White House claimed Hayden was removed for allowing “inappropriate books” in the children’s section. The Library of Congress, home to the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service and more than 25 million books, includes a small children’s reading room but is primarily a research institution for older teens and adults.
