The President has named a new Acting Librarian of Congress. It’s his former defense lawyer.
Todd Blanche, the Deputy Attorney General of the United States, has been appointed as the acting Librarian of Congress by President Trump, according to an employee at the Librarian of Congress, who asked not to be identified for fear of retribution.
The permanent post of Librarian of Congress must be confirmed by the Senate.
Blanche has no experience working in libraries or archives, according to his public profile. Now he will be running the largest one in the world. As a lawyer, he has focused on investigations and criminal litigation, including work for the President. Blanche served as one of Trump’s personal lawyers, leading the defense in last year’s criminal trial in which the President was found guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to conceal a payment to an adult film star.
Although no public announcement has yet been made, NPR confirmed reports of the appointment with the source who is knowledgeable about the oldest federal cultural institution in the United States.
That employee said men showed up this morning with a letter saying that Blanche was appointed the acting Librarian of Congress, Brian Nieves was appointed acting assistant librarian, and Paul Perkins was appointed the acting Register of Copyrights and Director of the Copyright Office. The men were not allowed into offices and left soon after, the employee said, adding that the Library of Congress is a legislative branch agency, and has not yet received direction from Congress on how to move forward.
Last Thursday, Trump fired the former Librarian of Congress, Carla Hayden. She had been targeted by conservative groups who accused her of promoting “wokeness.” Hayden was the 14th person to hold the post and the first professional librarian to hold the post since 1974.
NPR has reached out to the Library of Congress and the Justice Department and has not received a response.
How China, not the U.S., became the main climate solution story in 2025
The U.S. has become a "side character" in the global story of renewable energy, experts say. China dominates the sector, with positive implications for the climate and their economy.
Republicans push high deductible plans and health savings accounts
A Republican call to give Americans cash instead of health insurance subsidies revives an old idea that has left millions with medical debt.
Supreme Court to hear case that could vastly expand presidential powers
The Supreme Court hears arguments in a case about President Trump's firing of a Federal Trade Commissioner. At stake is a 90-year precedent limiting the president's power over independent agencies.
Zelenskyy heads to London for more Ukraine peace talks. Here’s what to know
The talks signal fresh support from European allies. But they follow stalled U.S. negotiations in Miami and comments from President Trump's son suggesting Washington is ready to pull back.
Tributes, not politics, play center stage as Trump hosts the Kennedy Center Honors
President Trump said he was closely involved with picking the honorees, and on Sunday he became the first president to host the Kennedy Center awards ceremony.
Thailand launches airstrikes along border with Cambodia as tensions reignite
Both sides accused the other of breaking a ceasefire that halted fighting earlier this year. Longstanding border disputes erupted into five days of combat in July that killed dozens.
