Trump administration fires top librarian and copyright chief amid funding battles
The Trump administration made two major dismissals in early May, removing both the Librarian of Congress and the Register of Copyrights. The moves followed a legal setback over federal funding cuts and sparked concerns about political influence in independent agencies.
On May 8, Carla Hayden was fired from her role as Librarian of Congress. Just two days later, Shira Perlmutter, the Register of Copyrights, was also removed from her position.
The dismissals began on May 8, when President Trump terminated Carla Hayden’s appointment. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later stated that Hayden’s focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives had led to her removal. Robert R. Newlen, the principal deputy librarian, was named acting Librarian of Congress in her place.
Hayden’s firing raised immediate questions about executive overreach. Critics pointed to the Librarian of Congress as a traditionally nonpartisan role, with oversight from both the executive and legislative branches. Two days after Hayden’s dismissal, Shira Perlmutter was also let go. Before her departure, she had released a prepublication report examining the legality of AI companies using copyrighted works for training. Her removal left the US Copyright Office without its permanent leader. The dismissals came just days after a federal judge ruled against the administration in *State of Rhode Island v. Trump*. On May 6, the court issued an injunction restoring funds to several states and reinstating cancelled services. The case centred on the administration’s proposed FY2026 budget, which sought to eliminate all grants from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and dismantle the office entirely. Over 100 libraries on federally recognised tribal land had already lost funding under the proposed cuts. The reductions left many tribes facing severe shortfalls in library resources and services. In response to the budget threats, the American Library Association (ALA) launched its Fund Libraries campaign. Advocates sent more than 25,000 emails and phone calls to legislators, urging them to preserve federal library funding for FY2026.
The firings of Hayden and Perlmutter have left key cultural institutions without permanent leadership. The administration’s budget proposal, if passed, would still cut all IMLS grants, directly affecting libraries nationwide. Legal challenges and public campaigns continue to oppose the funding reductions.
Read also:
- Executive from significant German automobile corporation advocates for a truthful assessment of transition toward electric vehicles
- United Kingdom Christians Voice Opposition to Assisted Dying Legislation
- Democrats are subtly dismantling the Affordable Care Act. Here's the breakdown
- Financial Aid Initiatives for Ukraine Through ERA Loans
