• President Trump fires Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden, citing her commitment to diversity.
• Democrats criticize the dismissal as politically motivated and damaging to democracy.
• Hayden was the first woman and first African American to lead the Library of Congress.
• Critics argue the firing undermines efforts to modernize and make the library accessible.
• Calls for accountability are echoed among top Democratic leaders.

President Donald Trump abruptly fired Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden on Thursday, a move attributed in part to her commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the administration felt Hayden was not serving the interests of American taxpayers, specifically alleging she promoted "inappropriate books" for children. This decision aligns with Trump’s ongoing strategy to restructure the federal government by removing perceived opponents, according to HuffPost and Reuters.

Hayden, who became the first woman and first African American to serve as Librarian of Congress in 2016, was informed of her termination via a two-sentence email from the White House's personnel office. The email, acquired by media outlets, did not provide a specific reason for her dismissal beyond the administrative statement of thanks for her service. This abrupt decision drew immediate backlash from Democratic leaders, who described Hayden's dismissal as a disgraceful assault on the independence of cultural institutions, as reported by The New York Times and CBS News.

Prominent Democrats, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, emphasized the historical significance of Hayden's role and criticized the Trump administration’s use of political power against public servants who advocate for access to knowledge. Schumer termed the move a "relentless campaign to dismantle the guardrails of our democracy," while Jeffries expressed that it was an "assault on the American way of life," as highlighted by Los Angeles Times and The Hill.

During her tenure, Hayden was credited with enhancing the accessibility of the Library of Congress, implementing various initiatives that reached underserved communities while promoting literacy among children. Her leadership was recognized widely, but her approaches faced criticism from conservative groups, which ultimately influenced her ousting. The American Accountability Foundation had called for her removal, branding her as "woke" and alleging that her initiatives did not align with conservative values, according to reports from NPR and India Times.