Politics
Trump’s Attempt to Takeover Library of Congress Ends in Embarrassing Ejection: CBS Correspondent
By Jake Beardslee · May 13, 2025
Trump’s Library Appointees Reportedly Escorted Out Amid Takeover Attempt
In a high-profile misstep, President Donald Trump’s effort to assert control over the Library of Congress was derailed Monday when two of his appointees were reportedly “escorted off the premises,” according to CBS News Senior White House Correspondent Weija Jiang. The White House / Wikimedia
Trump Fires Carla Hayden, Names Ex-Lawyer as Acting Librarian
The clash followed Trump’s abrupt dismissal of Dr. Carla Hayden, who had served as the Librarian of Congress since 2016. On Monday, he named Todd Blanche—his former defense attorney during the hush money trial—as the acting Librarian. Library of Congress Life / Wikimedia
White House Blames Hayden’s Diversity Push, “Inappropriate Books”
The White House justified Hayden’s removal by accusing her of promoting diversity initiatives and including “inappropriate books” in the national collection. White House / Wikimedia
Leavitt Defends Firing
“We don’t believe that she was serving the interests of the American taxpayer well, so she has been removed from her position,” White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told reporters, adding, “The President is well within his rights to do that.” Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia
Legal Clash Emerges Over Trump’s Authority at Legislative Branch Agency
However, Trump’s legal authority to make such changes was immediately called into question. The Library of Congress is not an executive agency—it belongs to the legislative branch. That crucial distinction reportedly prompted officials to intervene and eject two of Trump’s appointees soon after their arrival. Carol M. Highsmith / Wikimedia
Morelle Calls for Inspector General Probe Into White House
Rep. Joe Morelle of New York, the leading Democrat on the House committee that oversees the Library of Congress, has requested an inspector general investigation into the White House’s recent actions—specifically raising concerns about the potential transfer of congressional documents. Nate Payne, House Creative Services / Wikimedia
Top House Democrat Warns White House Has “No Authority” to Access Congressional Files
“The executive has no authority to demand or receive confidential legislative branch data, and the Library has no legal basis to supply such information without authorization from Congress,” he wrote, according to Politico. Matthew Bornhorst / Unsplash