Trump's Justice Department Official Appointed to Library of Congress Sparks Constitutional Showdown
President Trump's surprise appointment of his former defense attorney and current Deputy Attorney General to lead the Library of Congress has triggered an unprecedented standoff between the executive and legislative branches, raising serious constitutional questions about separation of powers.
Key Developments: White House and Congress Clash Over Library Leadership
President Donald Trump has appointed Todd Blanche, the Deputy Attorney General and his former personal defense lawyer, as acting Librarian of Congress following the abrupt dismissal of Dr. Carla Hayden last Thursday. The move has created immediate tension between the White House and Congress, with a physical standoff occurring Monday morning at the Library's headquarters on Capitol Hill New York Times1.
Two Justice Department officials—Paul Perkins and Brian Nieves—arrived at the Library's James Madison Memorial Building around 9 a.m. Monday with a letter from the White House stating that Blanche had selected them for top positions at the agency. Library staff refused them entry, with the Library's general counsel Meg Williams asking them to leave the premises New York Times1.
"Currently, Congress is engaged with the White House, and we have not yet received direction from Congress about how to move forward," wrote Robert Newlen, Dr. Hayden's former deputy, in an email to staff. Newlen signed the message as "acting librarian of Congress," indicating the Library is currently recognizing him as the interim leader rather than Blanche New York Times1.
This power struggle represents a significant challenge to the traditional boundaries between branches of government. The Library of Congress, while headed by a presidential appointee, is fundamentally a legislative branch agency that serves Congress directly.
Background of Todd Blanche: From Trump's Counsel to Government Official
Todd Blanche's appointment has drawn particular scrutiny due to his close personal ties to President Trump. Blanche served as Trump's lead defense lawyer during his criminal trial in Manhattan last year, where the President was found guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to payments to an adult film star NPR2.
According to his public profile, Blanche has no experience working in libraries or archives—a stark contrast to his predecessor. His professional background is centered on investigations and criminal litigation, with no apparent qualifications relevant to running the world's largest library system NPR2.
The timing of the appointment—immediately following the controversial dismissal of Dr. Hayden—has intensified criticism about potential politicization of what has traditionally been viewed as a nonpartisan cultural institution.
Congressional and Professional Reactions: Alarm Across the Political Spectrum
The unprecedented moves have prompted strong reactions from lawmakers and library professionals concerned about both process and precedent.
Representative Joseph D. Morelle of New York, the top Democrat on the House Administration Committee and a member of the Joint Committee on the Library, called the action a "power-hungry assault on the legislative branch." Along with Senator Alex Padilla, Democrat of California, he criticized Republicans for not speaking out against what they view as executive overreach New York Times1.
"It is extremely concerning that Trump sent executive branch officials from the Department of Justice to take over a legislative branch agency," the lawmakers said in a joint statement Monday. "Congress must stand up for Article I of the Constitution and defend the nonpartisan Library and the legislative branch from White House political control" New York Times1.
Rep. Morelle has also requested an investigation into whether the Library had given unauthorized access to congressional or library data to executive branch agencies, emphasizing concerns about potential breaches of confidential information CNN3.
Library professionals across the country have expressed alarm at the removal of Dr. Hayden, who was not only the first woman and first Black person to serve as Librarian of Congress but also the first professional librarian to hold the position since 1974 NPR2.
Expert Insights: Constitutional Questions and Precedent
Constitutional scholars and library experts have raised significant concerns about the implications of this power struggle.
The appointment appears to test the boundaries of separation of powers in unprecedented ways. While the Librarian of Congress is a presidentially appointed position requiring Senate confirmation, the Library itself is fundamentally an agency of the legislative branch, housing critical resources like the Congressional Research Service that directly support Congress's constitutional functions.
The White House justified Dr. Hayden's termination by accusing her of having placed "inappropriate books in the library for children." However, experts note that the Library of Congress primarily functions as a research facility limited to people 16 years or older, though it does maintain a children's reading room New York Times1.
Dr. Hayden, who was appointed in 2016, had about a year and a half remaining in her 10-year term, raising questions about the President's authority to terminate her appointment prematurely CNN3.
Future Implications: Uncertain Path Forward for a Historic Institution
The current standoff creates significant uncertainty for the Library of Congress, an institution that houses more than 178 million items and serves as the nation's library.
In the short term, the conflict creates operational challenges for the Library's 3,000+ employees who are caught between competing chains of command. The Copyright Office, which handles intellectual property registrations critical to America's creative industries, appears particularly affected by the leadership vacuum.
The long-term implications could be even more significant. If the executive branch successfully asserts control over this traditionally legislative agency, it could fundamentally alter the balance of power between branches of government and potentially compromise the Library's historical independence.
The ultimate resolution may depend on Congress's willingness to assert its constitutional authority and potentially on court rulings if the conflict escalates to legal action. With Republicans controlling both chambers of Congress but some members expressing private concerns about executive overreach, the political dynamics are complex and evolving.
As this constitutional crisis unfolds, the future of one of America's most venerable cultural institutions hangs in the balance. Will Congress successfully defend its constitutional prerogatives, or will this mark a significant expansion of executive power into traditionally legislative domains?
