Trump Fires Copyright Chiefs Amid AI Policy Clash

President Donald Trump has fired Shira Perlmutter, head of the U.S. Copyright Office, shortly after dismissing Carla Hayden, the Librarian of Congress who had appointed Perlmutter. The firings came in the wake of a major Copyright Office report warning that the commercial use of copyrighted materials for AI training likely exceeds fair use and could harm rights holders. The timing of the dismissals has fueled speculation that they were linked to the Copyright Office's critical stance on AI and copyright. Lawmakers and copyright advocates have criticized the move as an unprecedented power grab, raising concerns about the independence of copyright policy. The White House has not provided a reason for the terminations, causing increased unease among Library of Congress staff and the creative community. The shakeup coincides with the Trump administration’s intensified focus on expanding AI initiatives and reviewing federal employment.