On May 9, 2025, President Donald Trump dismissed Carla Hayden from her position as Librarian of Congress. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that Hayden was removed for not adequately serving the interests of the American people, citing concerns over her promotion of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and the inclusion of what the administration deemed inappropriate books for children in the library. 

Hayden, appointed by President Barack Obama in 2016, was the first woman and first African American to hold the role. Her dismissal has drawn criticism from Democratic leaders, including Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who condemned the action as politically motivated and an assault on democratic institutions.

This move aligns with President Trump's broader agenda to dismantle DEI programs across the federal government, as outlined in several executive orders signed in January 2025. These orders mandated the shutdown of DEI initiatives and the removal of related personnel, affecting thousands of federal employees.