In a significant development on May 12, 2025, two senior officials from the U.S. Department of Justice, Brian Nieves and Paul Perkins, were denied entry to the U.S. Copyright Office at the Library of Congress.
The two men had presented a White House letter claiming they had been appointed to top positions under President Donald Trump’s administration.
However, Library staff, supported by General Counsel Meg Williams, refused them access and contacted Capitol Police. The officials left the premises without incident before police arrived.
This incident follows a series of controversial personnel changes initiated by President Trump. Earlier, the President dismissed Carla Hayden, the Librarian of Congress, and Shira Perlmutter, the head of the U.S. Copyright Office.
These actions have raised concerns among Democrats and cultural figures, who view them as politically motivated and an attempt to exert control over key national institutions.
The recent firings are part of a broader shake-up, including the appointment of Todd Blanche, a former defense lawyer for President Trump, as the acting Librarian of Congress.
Blanche’s appointment has been met with resistance from Library staff, many of whom do not recognize his authority. They are awaiting guidance from Congress on the legitimacy of these changes.
Critics argue that these moves threaten the independence of the Library of Congress and the U.S. Copyright Office. They fear that such actions could lead to unauthorized information sharing with the executive branch and undermine the integrity of these institutions.
As the situation develops, lawmakers and legal experts continue to scrutinize the President’s authority to make such appointments and the potential implications for the separation of powers in the federal government.
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