On Tuesday, a bipartisan coalition of civil society groups, journalists, archivists, librarians, and concerned citizens, sent a letter to President Donald Trump protesting both the unwarranted firing of the archivist of the United States, Colleen Shogan, and the possibility she may be replaced by someone who does not have the necessary professional qualifications to lead the National Archives and Records Administration.
NARA plays a key role in making sure agencies across the government are appropriately saving their records. And the public needs to know now more than ever that the agency has qualified leadership. If it doesn't, it will only make it easier for other government agencies to keep too many secrets.
The National Archive’s responsibility in overseeing the declassification of government records is equally important. Its work in this area ensures that declassification decisions are made with integrity and fairness, which in turn fosters trust in government, promotes accountability, and enables public understanding of government actions.
The letter urges the White House to reaffirm the independent and professional stewardship of the National Archives. It was spearheaded by Freedom of the Press Foundation (FPF) and the American Governance Institute, and was signed by the American Library Association, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, Defending Rights & Dissent, the Free Government Information, Government Information Watch, the National Security Archive, National Security Counselors, PEN America, and dozens of prominent individuals.
You can read the full letter here or below.
