Justice Department says White House preserves records despite opinion on Presidential Records Act
Updated
Updated · CNN · Apr 22
Justice Department says White House preserves records despite opinion on Presidential Records Act
13 articles · Updated · CNN · Apr 22
A new White House memo from Counsel David Warrington instructs staff to preserve work-related documents, even after a DOJ Office of Legal Counsel opinion declared the Presidential Records Act unconstitutional for the current administration.
The memo clarifies that only official decision-making texts must be saved, while critics worry about potential loss of sensitive records. The DOJ argues in court that the White House policy remains consistent with the Act’s requirements.
The American Historical Association and American Oversight seek an emergency order to enforce broader preservation, especially for messaging apps. A federal court hearing is scheduled for May 5 to address these concerns.
What protects public access to White House records if a key law is ignored?
What happens to government transparency when record-keeping rules are in dispute?
Will this case determine how the history of modern presidencies is written?
Can technology solve the challenge of archiving encrypted government communications?
Can the executive branch declare a law from Congress unconstitutional on its own?