President Donald Trump has appointed Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche as the acting Librarian of Congress, following the dismissal of Carla Hayden, who had served in the role since 2016. Blanche, known for representing Trump during his 2024 criminal trial, assumes this position without prior experience in library science or archival management.
The abrupt replacement of Hayden, the first woman and African American to hold the Librarian of Congress position, has sparked significant backlash. Critics argue that the move undermines the independence of the legislative branch, as the Library of Congress operates under congressional authority. Democratic lawmakers have questioned the legality of the appointment, noting that the Librarian of Congress is traditionally a nonpartisan role requiring Senate confirmation.
Further controversy arose when two other Trump appointees, Brian Nieves and Paul Perkins, attempted to assume roles within the Library of Congress without proper authorization. Their efforts were thwarted by library staff and Capitol Police, highlighting tensions between the executive branch and legislative institutions.
