White House officials assured National Archives staff that employees in President Donald Trump’s administration were being reminded of the rules.
National Archives officials have periodically warned White House lawyers that the Trump administration needs to follow document preservation laws, according to people familiar with the conversations and emails reviewed by POLITICO.
The White House legally must preserve all presidential records, which are given to the National Archives after the president leaves office and are used for historical records. The documents that must be preserved include written memos, emails, speeches, record logs and more.
But National Archives officials have told the White House counsel’s office they were concerned that wasn’t happening, particularly early in the administration, officials with knowledge of the discussions said. Conversations have included John Laster and Gary Stern, two National Archives officials, and the White House counsel’s office.
After those conversations, White House officials assured National Archives staff that employees in President Donald Trump’s administration were being reminded of the rules, according to documents reviewed by POLITICO. The documents were provided by the National Archives after POLITICO requested copies of communications with the White House.
In the most recent such email seen by POLITICO, dated Oct. 2, Stefan Passantino, a senior White House lawyer, forwarded to National Archives staff directives that had recently been sent to administration employees.
“Pursuant to our conversation this morning … the email chain below recirculates written guidance issued in February consistent with verbal instruction our team has been providing since Transition,” Passantino wrote.
The exchanges with the National Archives staff come amid concerns that the White House has been haphazard about its handling of government materials. POLITICO previously reported that numerous White House officials used personal devices and email accounts for work, raising questions from watchdogs and congressional investigators about document preservation and internal security in Trump’s administration.
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National Archives officials told the White House they were concerned Trump admin wasn't preserving presidential docs https://t.co/hmnYDp44Vq pic.twitter.com/9U9dGBAXPN
— POLITICO (@politico) October 18, 2017
Accidentally on purpose more likely.
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