President Donald Trump fired Librarian of Congress Dr. Carla Hayden in a terse, two-sentence email sent on Thursday night.

“Carla, On behalf of President Donald J. Trump, I am writing to inform you that your position as the Librarian of Congress is terminated effective immediately. Thank you for your service,” deputy director of presidential personnel Trent Morse wrote in an email, according to The Associated Press (AP).

Carla Hayden Photo credit: Shawn Miller

The outrage in response to the move came quickly.

"This is unprecedented, and unnecessary; Dr. Hayden has served Congress and the American people with integrity and distinction,” EveryLibrary executive director John Chrastka said in a statement. “This is a purely political move. And coming as it does right after the Preliminary Injunction and TRO reopening IMLS, it is hard not to see it that way. Congress should be outraged at this overreach."

EveryLibrary has launched a petition asking the public to signal their support to stop the attacks on the Library of Congress.

Hayden was nominated to lead the Library of Congress by President Barack Obama and sworn in for a 10-year term in September 2016. She was the first woman and the first African American to serve in the position.

AP reported that Hayden had been targeted by a conservative group, American Accountability Foundation, which tweeted on Thursday: “The current #LibrarianOfCongress Carla Hayden is woke, anti-Trump, and promotes trans-ing kids. It’s time to get her OUT and hire a new guy for the job!”

Her removal is the latest for the administration that is stripping federal agencies of women, people of color, and anyone whose work is believed to be in opposition to Trump's agenda.

“Donald Trump’s unjust decision to fire Dr. Hayden in an email sent by a random political hack is a disgrace and the latest in his ongoing effort to ban books, whitewash American history and turn back the clock,” House of Representatives minority leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a statement.

Jeffries's fellow members of Congress also spoke out about the move.

“This is yet another example in the disturbing pattern of the President removing dedicated public servants without cause—likely to fill the position with one of his ‘friends’ who is not qualified and does not care about protecting America’s legacy,” Representative Rosa DeLauro wrote in a statement.

“Dr. Carla Hayden has served as Librarian of Congress with honor and distinction, bringing our prized institution to new heights,” Senator Chris Van Hollen posted on Bluesky. “Trump’s outrageous, politically-motivated move to fire her is despicable. The Library of Congress belongs to the American people — NOT to Trump.”

Others called for action.

“Dr Carla Hayden has done more for literacy and readers, has gotten more books into kids’ hands and onto their home bookshelves than you can even imagine,” author Kate Messner wrote on Bluesky. “Make calls, please. Demand that she be allowed to finish her ten-year term next year.”

“We are appalled at the firing of Carla Hayden,” Texas FReadom Fighters, a grassroots organization founded by librarians and dedicated to fighting for intellectual freedom, posted on Bluesky. “This is directly an attack on libraries and the freedom to read. Telling the true history of this country with books and artifacts and celebrating the accomplishments of all Americans is the most patriotic thing a librarian could do. Call your Senator.”

The Library of Congress is the largest library in the world. An independent agency within the legislative branch, the president has the authority to appoint the head of the Library, with Senate confirmation.

Rep. Joseph D. Morelle planned to introduce legislation that would ensure the Librarian of Congress is appointed by Congress.

“Tonight, President Trump fired a patriotic public servant. The Librarian of Congress, Dr. Carla Hayden, has spent her entire career serving people—from helping kids learn to read to protecting some of our nation’s most precious treasures. She is an American hero,” Morelle said in a statement.

On Bluesky, author Phil Bildner echoed Morelle's sentiment, simply posting: "Thank you, Dr. Hayden. Change maker, visionary, stalwart, hero."