Carla Hayden discussed being fired as the Librarian of Congress by President Donald Trump in an interview on PBS NewsHour.
Hayden, who was appointed to the role in 2016 by then President Barack Obama, was the first Black person and the first woman to hold the position. She was fired last month via an email from the White House personnel office reading, “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.”
NewsHour co-anchor Geoff Bennett asked about her reaction when she read the email.
“One of the first things that went through my mind was to think about was it authentic, because it was very short, very casual, just said ‘Carla’ and then two lines. And so I was actually confused.…I was with my mom, actually, that evening. I told her, “I’m not sure what this is.” And then I got on the phone to my colleagues to say, “Is this real or what? Who is this?”
Bennett asked Hayden if she thought that librarians are equipped to push back against political attacks.
“Librarians are prepared to defend their choices of materials and services that they provide,” she said. “What they really would appreciate is more public support, vocal public support, saying, We want to make sure that our children have access to these materials. And so that’s what we’re working with now in terms of our profession, to let the public know that we really need their help.”
Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.
