Trump Firings

    Library of Congress Firings

    1. What is the Library of Congress?
    2. Library of Congress Organizations
    3. List of Library of Congress Firings
      1. Shira Perlmutter
      2. Carla Hayden

    What is the Library of Congress?

    The Library of Congress, established in 1800, stands as the United States’ national library and the largest library in the world. Serving as the primary research arm for Congress, it has evolved into a vast repository of knowledge housing more than 173 million items, including books, manuscripts, films, photographs, maps, and digital materials. Its iconic main building, the Thomas Jefferson Building, along with the John Adams and James Madison Buildings, form an impressive complex on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

    Under the leadership of the Librarian of Congress, a presidential appointee confirmed by the Senate, the institution fulfills several critical functions beyond congressional support. It houses the U.S. Copyright Office, which registers and protects intellectual property rights, and preserves historically significant documents and cultural materials vital to American heritage. The Library also provides extensive reference services and administers specialized programs like the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled.

    While primarily serving congressional needs, the Library of Congress has expanded its mission to become a global resource for researchers, scholars, and the general public. Its reading rooms and exhibitions offer direct access to its vast collections, while digital initiatives have increasingly made these treasures available online. Through these efforts, the Library continues its foundational purpose of preserving America’s cultural heritage and intellectual achievements while adapting to serve as an accessible knowledge center for future generations.

    TL;DR: The Library of Congress is America’s giant, fancy book hoarder that helps Congress do its homework, protects copyrights, and lets everyone browse a mountain of knowledge—even online.

    A photograph of Thomas Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress.
    The Thomas Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress (Billy Wilson, Flickr, 2022).

    Library of Congress Organizations

    The following organizations fall under the Library of Congress per their Organization Chart and “How We Are Organized” page:

    • Library Collections & Services Group (LCSG): The Library Collections and Services Group unites key service units—including RCS, DPS, NLS, and the Law Library—to align their efforts with the Library’s strategic plan, fostering collaboration to make the Library more user-centered, digitally enabled, and data-driven.
      • Law Library (LAW): The Law Library of Congress offers expert legal research, analysis, and reference services to Congress, the judiciary, government agencies, and the public, leveraging the world’s largest and most comprehensive legal collection, which it also develops and manages.
      • Researcher & Collections Services (RCS): The Researcher and Collection Services unit at the Library of Congress builds and manages the Library’s diverse collections, ensures access and security, and provides research and reference services to Congress, government agencies, scholars, and the public. It also promotes democratic knowledge-sharing through public engagement and both in-person and online services.
      • Discovery & Preservation Services (DPS): Discovery and Preservation Services acquires, describes, preserves, and maintains the Library’s physical and digital collections, manages off-site storage and enterprise systems, and supports discovery and stewardship in collaboration with internal and external partners.
    • Congressional Research Service (CRS): The Congressional Research Service delivers timely, objective, nonpartisan, and confidential research and analysis exclusively to the U.S. Congress, supporting an informed and effective legislature.
    • United States Copyright Office: The U.S. Copyright Office administers copyright law to support creativity and innovation by granting authors economic incentives and protections, thereby enriching the nation’s cultural output.
    • Office of the Librarian: The Office of the Librarian includes several key components such as the Deputy Librarian—who oversees development, legal, and diversity offices—along with the offices of the chief of staff, communications, information, and strategic planning. It also includes oversight of the following:
      • Office of the General Counsel
      • Center for Exhibits & Interpretation
      • Center for Learning, Literacy & Engagement
      • Strategic Planning & Performance Management
    • Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO): The Office of the Chief Information Officer leads the Library of Congress’s IT efforts, driving digital transformation and data-driven operations by providing technology infrastructure, innovation leadership, IT security, and support services for all Library staff.
    • Office of the Chief Operating Officer: The Office of the Chief Operating Officer oversees the Library’s infrastructure support functions, including finance, contracts and grants, facilities, human resources, and security and emergency preparedness.

    TL;DR: The Library of Congress is made up of different teams that work together to build and protect its collections, support Congress, manage copyright, provide legal and research help, run the Library’s operations, and improve technology so everything works better and reaches more people.

    The main reading room in the Library of Congress.
    The main reading room in the Library of Congress (Wikipedia).

    List of Library of Congress Firings

    Below is a list of people in the Library of Congress that have been fired by President Donald Trump or the Trump Administration, sorted by most recent:

    Shira Perlmutter

    Register of Copyrights – Copyright Office
    Fired on May 10, 2025

    Shira Perlmutter, who served as Register of Copyrights in the US Copyright Office since October 2020, was fired by President Trump on May 10, 2025 as part of what appears to be a broader series of dismissals at the Library of Congress. The dismissal came just days after Perlmutter’s office published a report examining how AI development might violate fair use laws when using copyrighted materials for training.

    Sources for the Firing of Shira Perlmutter

    TL;DR: Shira Perlmutter, who ran the US Copyright Office, was fired by Trump in May 2025 shortly after her office warned that AI might break copyright rules.

    Carla Hayden

    Librarian of Congress – Library of Congress
    Fired on May 8, 2025

    President Donald Trump fired Carla Hayden, the Librarian of Congress, on May 8, 2025, with her termination email stating the dismissal was “effective immediately.” Hayden, who was the first woman and first African American to hold the position, was removed. Her term was set to expire in 2026.

    White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the decision, citing “concerning things” Hayden had allegedly done regarding DEI initiatives and “inappropriate books” for children. The firing appears to be part of broader changes to cultural institutions under the Trump administration, with some supporters, like America First Foundation president Tom Jones, having previously called for Hayden’s removal to “return an America First agenda to the nation’s intellectual property regulation.”

    Sources for the Firing of Carla Hayden

    TL;DR: President Trump fired Carla Hayden, the first woman and African American Librarian of Congress, in May 2025, saying it was because of issues with diversity programs and some children’s books.

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    “Governments constantly choose between telling lies and fighting wars, with the end result always being the same: one will always lead to the other.”

    ― Thomas Jefferson

    Trump Firings

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