President Donald Trump’s administration dismissed Shira Perlmutter, head of the U.S. Copyright Office, shortly after firing Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden.
Both received email notices of termination. Perlmutter was appointed by Hayden in 2020 and led the agency under the Library of Congress. The firings are viewed as part of Trump’s broader effort to replace officials opposing his agenda.
Meanwhile, a USAID employee, Yusuf Akoll, was charged with fraud for illegally obtaining COVID-19 relief funds through a fake company. His actions highlighted failures in oversight during pandemic loan distribution.
The Biden administration later declined to pursue repayment of small fraudulent loans under $100,000, citing equity concerns.
