Termination Email Came from the White House: ‘Your Position Has Been Terminated with Immediate Effect’

Two Women, Two Top Positions, and Two Brief Emails

The United States is currently experiencing a significant shake-up at the top of its cultural institutions. Within just a few days, both the Librarian of Congress, Carla Hayden, and the head of the Copyright Office, Shira Perlmutter, have been fired directly from the White House.

Both received a brief message via email: their service had been terminated – with immediate effect according to FoxNews.

A New Front in Trump’s Culture War

Carla Hayden was appointed in 2016 as the first woman and African American to serve as the Librarian of Congress.

Her departure is described by many as politically motivated. A few days later, Shira Perlmutter, who had headed the Copyright Office since 2020, was also dismissed.

Perlmutter was known for her clear stance on artificial intelligence and creative copyright work. In January, she stated: ‘Where human creativity is expressed through the use of AI, it continues to enjoy protection.’

And further: ‘Extending protection to materials whose expressive elements are determined by a machine… would undermine the constitutional goals of copyright.’

AI Report and Cultural Clash

Perlmutter and her office had just released a report examining the use of copyrighted material for training artificial intelligence. The report, drawing from thousands of submissions from artists, developers, and experts, cemented the Copyright Office’s focus on the human role in creative production.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration signals a broader policy shift, removing opponents of his policies from key positions. Democrats have called the terminations ‘a disgrace’ and an attack on independent institutions.

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