Two Justice Department officials were denied access to the Library of Congress on Monday, causing a brief standoff on Capitol Hill.
The two officials—Paul Perkins, an associate deputy attorney general, and Brian Nieves, a deputy chief of staff and senior policy counsel—were seeking access to the U.S.
Blanche, the deputy attorney general, was named acting librarian of Congress by President Donald Trump on Monday—an appointment that would have to be confirmed by the Senate.
The president name his lead defense lawyer from his criminal trial last year, Todd Blanche (R), as acting Librarian of Congress.
Representatives at the Justice Department and Library of Congress did not immediately respond to the Daily Beast‘s request for comment.
The president launched an overhaul of the library last week after dismissing former Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden on Thursday.
Despite Trump’s appointment of Blanche, library staff have reportedly been recognizing Robert Newlen as their interim replacement instead, according to The Times’ sources. »