A recent Justice Department memorandum asserts the Presidential Records Act is unconstitutional, arguing presidential records are private property rather than public. This reinterpretation, if upheld, would effectively dismantle nearly 50 years of transparency established by the PRA, which mandates that presidential records be transferred to the National Archives for eventual public release. The memo seeks to create a barrier to accessing critical historical documents, potentially allowing future presidents, regardless of party, to operate with impunity and hide their actions from public scrutiny. This move poses a significant threat to democracy by limiting the public’s ability to hold their leaders accountable.
Read More
The Department of Justice has determined that the federal law mandating the preservation of presidential records is unconstitutional. This ruling could grant White House lawyers the authority to establish their own voluntary recordkeeping policies. Such a change may significantly alter the long-standing legal precedent set after Richard Nixon’s resignation, which aimed to prevent presidents from retaining control over their records.
Read More
Recent photographs reveal that high-ranking White House officials, including the former national security advisor Mike Waltz, are using a modified version of the Signal app called TM SGNL. This modified app, created by TeleMessage, allows for message archiving, potentially compromising the end-to-end encryption of the original Signal app. The use of TM SGNL may be an attempt to comply with record-keeping laws, but raises concerns about the security of sensitive communications. Following the publication of the photographs, Waltz was removed from his position as national security advisor.
Read More
Archivist of the United States Colleen Shogan was dismissed Friday night by President Trump, as announced by Presidential Personnel Office Director Sergio Gor. Shogan’s dismissal, while seemingly sudden, followed Trump’s earlier indication of a planned replacement. The move comes amidst Trump’s past clashes with the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) over his handling of classified documents. This appointment is significant given the typically apolitical nature of the archivist’s role.
Read More
It seems that U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon is playing a strategic game to favor Donald Trump in the mishandling of classified documents case. While the headlines may suggest that she shot down Trump’s claims under the Presidential Records Act (PRA), upon closer inspection, it becomes apparent that she is merely biding her time. Cannon’s rejection of Trump’s pre-trial motion is not a definitive dismissal of the PRA argument but rather a delay tactic in favor of the former president.
Amidst accusations of bias and misconduct, Cannon’s handling of the case raises serious concerns about the integrity of the judicial process.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker