Hayden's dismissal comes before her 10-year term was set to expire in 2026, as she was appointed by President Barack Obama in 2016, and confirmed by the Senate with a 74-18 bipartisan vote that same year. She was the first woman and African American to hold the position, as well as the 14th person to ever do so.

President Donald Trump fired Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden, drawing an outcry from Democrats. Hayden was fired by email on Thursday, according to a message from the White House’s Presidential Personnel Office, which the Associated Press viewed. She had led the library since being confirmed by the Senate in 2016.

President Donald Trump on Thursday fired Carla Hayden, the Librarian of Congress - the first woman and first African American to hold the position. She was informed of the decision in a terse, two-sentence email.