The US president has fired Carla Heiden, a librarian since 2016, in a move that has caused many criticism from the Democrats, according to US media.
Heiden, the first woman and the first African -American to lead the Congress Library, was informed yesterday, Thursday, on the night of her dismissal by email from the White House Personnel Office.
Why do the Democrats react?
The leader of the Democratic Minority in Parliament Hakim Jeffris condemned the energy by describing it as “unfair” and “demonstration of anesthesia” and accusing Trump of attempting to “ban books, to flush out American history”.
Democratic MPs, such as Rosa Delauro, said that this move is part of a worrying tactic of “unnecessary redundancies of dedicated public officials” and replacing them with “one of his ‘friends’ who does not have the required qualifications.”
“This move undermines the fundamental principles of our democracy and erodes the confidence of public opinion in our institutions,” the Delauro said. “The Trump government must give a clear explanation for this decision.”
Dr. Hayden is a guardian of truth – a steward of our nations intellectual and cultural fabric.
She must be reinstated as Librarian of Congress immediately.
– Rosa Delauro (@Rosadelauro)
The “heroine” Heiden
Heiden, who was sworn in in September 2016 for a 10 -year term, was appointed by President Barack Obama.
He had recently lodged both the Senate Subcommittee and the House Public Administration Committee, where MP Joseph D. Morel warned that the Trump government was targeting cultural institutions, such as libraries and museums.
The Library of Congress is a service of the legislative industry, but the president appoints its head, whose appointment is subsequently validated by the Senate.
Morel has announced plans to submit a bill that will give parliament the authority of appointment of Congress’s librarian, with the aim of protecting a position from party involvement.
In a statement, Morell described Heiden as a “heroine” and regretted the loss of “a patriotic public official” who dedicated her career to the public service, from helping children learn to read until it protects vital national treasures.
Tonight, President Trump fired a patriotic public servant. 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.
– Joe Morelle (@repjoemorelle)
The White House has not yet given any explanation for Heden’s dismissal.
