Judge orders White House staff to comply with presidential records law that DOJ calls unconstitutional
CBS News • • nation
Key Points:
- A federal judge ordered White House staff and top advisers of President Trump to comply with the Presidential Records Act, requiring preservation of certain presidential and vice presidential records, effective May 26.
- The ruling counters a Justice Department memo claiming the Act is unconstitutional, with Judge John Bates affirming the law's likely constitutionality and its role in maintaining public trust.
- The injunction applies to most White House employees but excludes Trump and Vice President JD Vance, and stems from lawsuits by historical and oversight groups aiming to ensure compliance with the law.
- The Presidential Records Act, enacted after Watergate, mandates that presidential records belong to the U.S. government and must be preserved and transferred to the National Archives after an administration ends.
- The plaintiffs cited concerns over Trump's past attempts to retain presidential records after his first term, including 15 boxes containing classified documents, which led to legal battles and indictments related to mishandling classified information.