In a significant reshuffling of federal leadership, President Donald Trump has appointed Secretary of State Marco Rubio as the acting Archivist of the United States. This move follows the abrupt dismissal of Colleen Shogan, the former head of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), earlier this month. The decision has raised concerns about the potential politicization of an agency traditionally known for its nonpartisan role in preserving the nation’s historical records.

The National Archives has recently been at the center of political tensions, particularly concerning its involvement in the Justice Department’s investigation into President Trump’s handling of classified documents post-presidency. The agency’s referral led to an FBI search of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, culminating in a federal indictment that was later dismissed. In the wake of these events, several senior staff members at NARA have resigned or been terminated, further intensifying debates about the agency’s future direction and independence.

To delve deeper into these developments, the podcast 1A hosted a discussion today titled “The National Archives and the Trump Administration.” The episode explores the implications of Secretary Rubio’s appointment, the recent upheavals within NARA, and what these changes mean for the preservation of America’s historical records. Listeners can access the episode on WAMU’s website.

As the situation continues to evolve, stakeholders and observers alike are closely monitoring how these leadership changes will impact the National Archives’ mission to safeguard the nation’s documentary heritage.

Sources

Gerstein, Josh and Kyle Cheney, “Trump Fires National Archives Chief,” Politico,(February 7, 2025).

 Swenson, Ali and Gary Fields, “The National Archives Is Nonpartisan but Has Found Itself Targeted by Trump,” Associated Press (February 26, 2025).