The Library of Congress just delivered a masterclass in institutional independence by refusing entry into the building to Trump’s appointees, who arrived claiming new authority after President Trump abruptly fired Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden, an accomplished leader with broad bipartisan support. In a remarkable display of backbone, Library staff and legal counsel stood firm, denying the appointees access and even calling in Capitol Police, refusing to recognize their authority without explicit direction from Congress.
This confrontation wasn’t just bureaucratic drama, it was a pivotal moment for the separation of powers. The Library of Congress, a legislative branch agency, is supposed to serve lawmakers and the public, not the whims of the White House. Trump’s move to install loyalists, including a former defense attorney from his own criminal trial, raised serious legal and ethical questions about executive overreach and the potential politicization of a nonpartisan institution. Congressional Democrats swiftly condemned the firings and called for investigations, warning that the integrity of confidential legislative research and copyright policy was at risk.
By standing its ground, the Library made clear that the legislative branch won’t be steamrolled by the executive, especially when it comes to safeguarding its own independence. This episode is a sharp reminder that checks and balances aren’t just constitutional theory; they’re real, and they matter most when democracy is under stress. This is the way.
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