The Trump administration is making significant changes at the National Archives and Records Administration, with the forced resignation of senior leadership. This move follows President Donald Trump's criticism of the agency for requesting an investigation into his handling of classified documents after leaving office.
Last week, Archivist Colleen Shogan was dismissed, and it has been reported that the White House aims to replace top officials with Trump loyalists. Deputy Archivist William J. Bosanko announced his retirement in an email to staff, expressing his gratitude for his 32 years of service at the Archives.
It is expected that five other senior officials will also resign, marking a substantial loss for the agency known for its nonpartisan dedication to preserving history and documents. The National Archives gained prominence recently due to investigations into the mishandling of presidential documents, including classified materials.
The inspector general of the National Archives referred the case to the Department of Justice after unsuccessful attempts to negotiate the return of presidential papers with Trump. Bosanko, who has been acting Archivist since Shogan's dismissal, is praised for his professionalism and commitment to the agency's mission.
The departure of key staff members is seen as a consequence of Trump's promise to overhaul the agency. The White House is expected to announce new leadership for the National Archives in the near future.
Despite the changes, the National Archives remains dedicated to its mission of preserving historical documents, as reflected in Bosanko's farewell letter titled 'Littera Scripta Manet' (The Word Remains). His attachment of the Archivist's Code underscores the agency's commitment to its core values.
