President Donald Trump has named Todd Blanche—his former criminal defense attorney in the 2024 hush money trial—as the acting Librarian of Congress, ousting Dr. Carla Hayden, the first woman and first African American to lead the nation's library.

Blanche, who represented Trump in his 34-count conviction, now oversees the world’s largest repository of books, films, and historical treasures—despite having no experience in libraries or archives.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune says Congress is probing whether the president has the authority to fire a legislative branch official. Senior House Democrats warn that Blanche could access confidential Congressional Research Service requests and have asked the inspector general for a full investigation.

Will the Library of Congress remain a nonpartisan guardian of knowledge, or will it become a political pawn?

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