Trump’s Bold Move: Top Justice Dept. Official Installed at Library of Congress Sparks Tense Standoff!
President Trump has made significant changes to the Library of Congress, naming Todd Blanche, the No. 2 official at the Justice Department and his former personal lawyer, as the acting librarian. This move, announced on Monday, has sparked immediate backlash from library staff. Blanche replaces Carla Hayden, who was abruptly dismissed last week.
The controversy intensified when staff members refused to grant access to two Justice Department officials chosen by Blanche for senior roles. These officials, Paul Perkins and Brian Nieves, were barred from entering the library’s James Madison Memorial Building after staff expressed concerns about the lack of Congressional input in these appointments. This standoff underscored ongoing tensions regarding the intersection of legislative and executive powers.
Perkins, designated as the acting register of copyrights and director of the Copyright Office, and Nieves, appointed as the acting deputy librarian, arrived with a letter from the White House confirming their positions. Following their denial of access by Capitol Police and library counsel Meg Williams, they left the building voluntarily. Robert Newlen, the principal deputy librarian, was recognized by library staff as the acting librarian until further clarification from Congress.
Newlen communicated with staff via email, acknowledging the unsettled nature of the situation. "Currently, Congress is engaged with the White House, and we have not yet received direction from Congress about how to move forward," he stated, signing off as the “acting librarian of Congress.”
The librarian of Congress is a presidential appointee, requiring Senate confirmation, a point not lost on lawmakers responding to the shake-up. Representative Joseph D. Morelle, the leading Democrat on the House Administration Committee, denounced the changes as a “power-hungry assault on the legislative branch.” He, alongside Senator Alex Padilla, underscored the need for Congress to defend its authority against what they viewed as executive overreach.
In a joint statement, they expressed concern over the executive branch’s encroachment into a legislative agency, emphasizing that “Congress must stand up for Article I of the Constitution.” Morelle has also called for an investigation into whether the Library of Congress provided unauthorized access to data by the Department of Government Efficiency or other executive entities.
The White House dismissed Hayden, who had held her position since 2016, citing her supposed inclusion of “inappropriate books in the library for children” as a reason. The Library of Congress plays a crucial role in providing nonpartisan information to assist congressional decision-making, housing the Congressional Research Service and the Copyright Office while also serving as a national library with a vast collection of over 25 million cataloged books.
The unfolding drama at the Library of Congress not only highlights the ongoing struggles between the legislative and executive branches but also raises critical questions about the safeguarding of nonpartisan institutions within the government. As the situation develops, the response from Congress will be vital in determining the future direction of this key legislative resource.
Tim Balk and Jennifer Schuessler contributed reporting.
Keywords: Library of Congress, Todd Blanche, Donald Trump, Copyright Office, presidential power, executive authority, legislative branch.
Original Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/12/us/politics/trump-library-of-congress.html
Category : Library of Congress,Blanche, Todd (Attorney),Trump, Donald J,Copyright Office,Presidential Power (US)
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Publish Date: 2025-05-13 04:50:00
