President Trump purports to install new officials at the Library of Congress
President Trump purports to install new officials at the Library of *Congress*
By Daniel Schuman (May 13, 2025)
The Library of Congress is not just shelves of books or a museum. It’s an active support agency that legislators in Congress rely on for nonpartisan research to make informed and independent policy decisions, and it runs the indispensable Congress.gov portal that provides public access to Congress’s daily work, which we rely on. That’s why President Trump’s action to take over the Library as Daniel describes below is incredibly concerning. This is a short version of Daniel’s extended post at his First Branch Forecast.
Monday was a tumultuous day for the Library of Congress, the broader Legislative Branch, and our system of government.
This past Thursday, President Trump asserted he fired Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden. On Saturday he announced he fired Register of Copyrights Shira Perlmutter. According to CBS News, Trump named Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche to serve as the Librarian of Congress concurrently with his role at the Justice Department. Blanche previously served as Trump’s personal criminal defense attorney. Trump also designated an acting Deputy Librarian of Congress and an Acting Register of Copyrights.
The three Department of Justice officials attempted to enter the Library of Congress but were reportedly escorted from the building. While some reports described a standoff between Capitol Police and the officials, the exact details remain unclear and the Capitol Police have denied they were involved in a confrontation.
In an email to Library staff, Acting Librarian Robert Newlan stated he did not immediately recognize Trump’s appointment as valid. According to Politico, Newlen wrote “Congress is engaged with the White House and we have not received direction from Congress about how to move forward.”
Senate Majority Leader Thune, a Republican, said “congressional leaders ‘want to make sure we’re following precedent and procedure’ in naming a replacement for Carla Hayden” and added “we want to make sure congressional equities are respected and protected in this process.” (“Equities” is government jargon for Congress’s stake and rights in the matter.)
The President’s actions threaten Congressional independence and implicate constitutional and statutory issues. The Library of Congress and its staff provide confidential, nonpartisan support to Congress. That work must remain insulated from Executive Branch interference.
Read more: President Trump purports to install new officials at the Library of Congress
Source Links: https://www.govtrack.us/posts/503/2025-05-13_president-trump-purports-to-install-new-officials-at-the-library-of-congress
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