Robert R. Newlen

Robert Randolph Newlen is an American librarian who, as principal deputy librarian of the United States Library of Congress, became the acting librarian of Congress following the dismissal of Carla Hayden in May 2025 by the Trump administration. In 2026 he was awarded American Library Association Honorary Membership, the Association's highest honor.

Early life and education Robert Randolph Newlen was born at the now-demolished Sibley Hospital in Washington, D.C. and is a third-generation D.C. native. He is a graduate of Bridgewater College, from which he received a bachelor of arts in political science and French in 1975. In 1979, he received a master of arts in art history from American University, focusing on nineteenth-century and twentieth-century paintings. Newlen also holds a Master of Library Science from the Catholic University of America.

In 2023, the Librarian of Congress, Carla Hayden, announced that she had appointed Newlen as the interim director of the Congressional Research Service following the resignation of the CRS director, Mary Mazanec. Newlen was appointed the Principal Deputy Librarian of Congress on March 29, 2025.

Librarian of Congress dispute On May 8, 2025, Carla Hayden was abruptly fired by President Donald Trump through an email sent to Hayden. In a separate email, Newlen proclaimed that he would serve as the acting librarian of Congress "until further instruction". On May 12, four days after Hayden's dismissal, Trump appointed Todd Blanche, the deputy attorney general, as the acting librarian of Congress. Newlen did not immediately recognize Blanche's appointment. as her position as Register of Copyrights is appointed by, and responsible to, the Librarian of Congress. Newlen was also appointed by Hayden.

American Library Association

Newlen served for multiple terms on Council of the American Library Association including the Executive Board. He was also an Endowment Trustee. Newlen ran for president of the American Library Association for the 2004–2005 term.

He was awarded the Association's ALA Medal of Excellence in 2016 for his "creative leadership of high order, particularly in library management."