Trump stored classified documents in Mar-a-lago toilet (Image: DOJ)
President Donald Trump removed Colleen Shogan from her position as head of the National Archives. The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) preserves and documents government records and often handles sensitive information.
A replacement for Shogan was not announced, but Deputy Archivist Jay Bosanko will automatically fill the position if Trump does not appoint someone.
In 2022, the National Archives alerted the Justice Department that Trump had not returned a collection of classified documents from his estate in Mar-a-Lago, Florida. Although Trump returned some of the documents, when the FBI searched Trump’s home, over 15 boxes of highly classified documents were found on the estate. Trump was charged with mishandling classified documents and resisting attempts to retrieve the documents, both of which he pleaded not guilty to.
Trump claims that the records discovered in his home were declassified and counted as personal property. Under federal law, this option is available, but it requires action before leaving office to designate the records as declassified, which Trump had not done. After Trump won a second term, the case was dropped.
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Trump blames NARA for attempting to damage him politically and openly criticizes its top staff, including Shogan. Former NARA director of litigation, Jason R. Baron, said that there was “no good reason for firing Dr. Shogan” and that the archivist must be appointed “without regard to political affiliations.” He also said, “Notwithstanding what President Trump might choose to believe, NARA is a completely nonpartisan agency, and NARA staff at all times have conducted themselves thoroughly professionally in ensuring that our Nation’s history is properly preserved.”
Shogan, appointed by former President Joe Biden, was confirmed by the Senate in 2023 and was not the head of the National Archives at the time of Trump’s criminal case in 2022.
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