Context:

Three recent U.S. poet laureates, including Ada Limón, Joy Harjo, and Tracy K. Smith, have strongly condemned President Donald Trump's decision to fire Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden. Hayden, appointed by President Obama as the first woman and African American in the role, was dismissed before the end of her 10-year term, with the White House citing her failure to meet American taxpayers' needs. The poets praised Hayden for her dedication to promoting books and libraries, expressing their dismay at her abrupt removal and the administration's ongoing actions against cultural institutions. The Library of Congress, a significant national archive originating from Thomas Jefferson's collection, is now at the center of political contention, with Hayden's firing being viewed as a move against inclusivity and diversity efforts. The poets expressed concern that this action reflects an attempt to limit cultural and historical engagement within the country.

Dive Deeper:

• Ada Limón, along with Joy Harjo and Tracy K. Smith, expressed deep disappointment and criticism towards Trump's firing of Carla Hayden, highlighting her as an exemplary figure in promoting literary culture and inclusivity at the Library of Congress.

• Carla Hayden, the first woman and African American Librarian of Congress, was unexpectedly dismissed by the Trump administration, which claimed she did not align with the needs of the American public and was involved in controversial diversity and children's book initiatives.

• The poets underscored Hayden's significant contributions to fostering curiosity and bipartisanship within the Library of Congress, a pivotal national archive rooted in Thomas Jefferson's personal book collection.

• The White House, through press secretary Karoline Leavitt, justified Hayden's removal by alleging her failure to serve the interests of American taxpayers, raising concerns about her approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the library.

• The removal of Hayden, seen as part of a broader pattern of cultural institution interventions by the Trump administration, sparked fears among poets of a wider effort to suppress historical and cultural awareness and engagement.

• Joy Harjo and Tracy K. Smith both emphasized Hayden's dedication to poetry and community engagement, with Harjo describing her firing as 'shocking' and Smith cautioning against the implications for collective memory and imagination.

• The decision to fire Hayden has drawn attention to the political dynamics influencing cultural and historical institutions in Washington, with implications for future appointments and the direction of the Library of Congress.