Trump Names His Former Defense Attorney as Acting Librarian of Congress

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Trump Designates Todd Blanche as Interim Librarian of Congress
Todd Blanche, the lawyer who defended Donald Trump in his 2024 hush money trial and currently serves as Deputy Attorney General, is now appointed as Acting Librarian of Congress. Blanche will take over from Carla Hayden, who was suddenly dismissed by the administration last week. Despite claims by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt that Hayden provided inappropriate reading material for children, it’s important to note that the Librarian of Congress is not your typical librarian. The role primarily involves management, policy-making, research provision to Congress, and oversight of the U.S. Copyright Office. This move signifies a focus on research, documentation, record preservation, and information accessibility. Hayden’s removal may seem personal to book enthusiasts, but it aligns with the administration’s trend of undermining institutions and disregarding public access to records. The dismissal might also be linked to the administration’s reaction to a recent report from the US copyright office; Shira Perlmutter, who headed the office, was also let go. For those questioning the legality of the decision, the President has the authority to appoint the Librarian of Congress, with Senate confirmation required, but the removal process lacks specific guidelines, falling under the President’s broad executive powers as established in Myers v. United States in 1926. In response to Hayden’s firing, some Democrats are advocating for rule changes to transfer this power to Congress.

Tribal Libraries Face Closure Due to Budget Cuts
Over 100 libraries on tribal lands in the U.S. are at risk of shutting down as funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is being cut by the government. The affected libraries were informed of the sudden budget reductions through a letter from Deputy Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling, currently acting as the IMLS director. The notice stated that the grants were no longer aligned with the agency’s priorities and the U.S. interests, as the IMLS reallocates funds to support the President’s agenda. The Heritage Foundation, a long-time advocate for shutting down the IMLS, has been vocal in supporting this move.

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