Context:

President Trump appointed Todd Blanche, a former personal lawyer and the deputy attorney general, as the acting librarian of Congress after abruptly firing Carla Hayden, escalating tensions between the executive and legislative branches. Staff at the Library of Congress resisted the changes, refusing entry to two Justice Department officials chosen by Blanche for senior roles, emphasizing the need for congressional input. This standoff highlights ongoing disputes over the separation of powers, as the library's staff, led by principal deputy librarian Robert Newlen, seeks guidance from Congress. Representative Joseph Morelle and Senator Alex Padilla condemned the move as an overreach by the executive branch and urged Congress to defend its constitutional authority. The White House justified Hayden's dismissal, accusing her of allowing inappropriate books in the library, while Morelle has called for an investigation into unauthorized access to library data by executive agencies.

Dive Deeper:

• President Trump appointed Todd Blanche, previously his lead defense lawyer, as the acting librarian of Congress, replacing Carla Hayden, leading to an immediate pushback from the library staff who demanded congressional involvement in such appointments.

• Staff members at the Library of Congress refused entry to two Justice Department officials appointed by Blanche, Paul Perkins and Brian Nieves, insisting they did not have the authority to assume their roles without congressional approval.

• The incident sparked a debate over the boundaries of executive power versus congressional authority, with library staff calling the Capitol Police and relying on their general counsel to enforce the denial of access.

• Representative Joseph Morelle and Senator Alex Padilla criticized the executive branch's attempt to exert control over the Library of Congress, labeling it a violation of the separation of powers and urging Congress to protect its legislative prerogatives.

• After Hayden's removal, the White House accused her of stocking inappropriate materials in the library, which contains over 25 million books and serves as a key research facility for Congress and the public.

• The library's staff currently recognizes Robert Newlen as the acting librarian pending further instructions from Congress, highlighting the need for clear legislative guidance in response to executive actions.

• Mr. Morelle has demanded an investigation into potential unauthorized access to library or congressional data by executive branch agencies, underscoring concerns about executive overreach into legislative domains.