On Thursday, President Donald Trump unexpectedly dismissed Carla Hayden from her position as Librarian of Congress as the White House continues to remove individuals perceived as opposing the president and his agenda.

Hayden received notification via an email from the presidential personnel office later that day, as reported by the Associated Press.

She was confirmed by the Senate in 2016 and made history as the first woman and the first African American to serve as the Librarian of Congress.

The email began with, “Carla, on behalf of President Donald J. Trump, I am writing to inform you that your position as Librarian of Congress is no longer in effect immediately. Thank you for your service.” A spokesperson for the Library of Congress confirmed that the White House had informed Hayden of her termination.

Hayden, whose 10-year term was set to expire next year, faced backlash from a conservative advocacy group that accused her and other library leaders of promoting children’s books deemed “extreme” and literary works authored by individuals critical of Trump.

This unexpected action by Trump has sparked outrage among congressional Democrats, who were the first to reveal the dismissal.

Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, the senior Democratic member of the House Appropriations Committee, stated that Hayden was “cruelly removed” by Trump and called for an explanation from the administration regarding the reasons for her dismissal.