Overview

• President Trump fired Hayden via email on May 8 without prior notice, terminating her tenure immediately.
• The White House criticized her diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and alleged she stocked "inappropriate" children’s books despite the Library’s role as a congressional research repository.
• Hayden told CBS News on June 8 that she received no direct communication from the White House and stressed inclusive collections validate underrepresented communities.
• A May 31 town hall at Washington’s MLK Jr Library brought together librarians and authors who argued her dismissal threatened the freedom to read.
• Congress has yet to confirm an acting Librarian of Congress, fueling concerns about ongoing political interference in the institution’s independence.