Balkinization  

Sunday, May 11, 2025

Is the Librarian of Congress an Executive Official?

Gerard N. Magliocca

The Librarian of Congress joined the ranks of the suddenly unemployed last week. One fair question people might ask is, "Wait, didn't she work for Congress?" If so, how can she be fired by the President without cause?

Past scholarship pointed out that the Library of Congress is an unusual institution that is neither legislative or executive. The Library serves members of Congress by, in effect, providing research assistance. But it also houses the Copyright Office, which performs regulatory functions like other administrative agencies. And it's a giant library and museum for the public.

I doubt that the Librarian wields executive power that subjects her to at-will firing by the President. But we may see that tested in court soon.

UPDATE: In the long run, maybe Congress will move the Copyright Office to, say, the Department of Commerce. Then the argument that the Librarian of Congress is an executive official would be weaker. 


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