Trump DOJ Declares Presidential Records Act Unconstitutional

Trump's Justice Department issued a legal opinion declaring the Presidential Records Act unconstitutional.

“DOJ, rejecting decades-old law, says Trump can keep his presidential records The opinion could keep future presidential records from being made public”

ABC News

The opinion contends the law unconstitutionally intrudes on the independence of the executive branch.

ABC News

A senior White House official said Congress does not have the power to compel an entire branch to create and save every piece of paper.

The Presidential Records Act was enacted after Watergate to declare presidential records as government property.

Before the law, presidents owned and controlled their records as private property.

American Oversight

Trump has a fraught history with the law, having been indicted for mishandling documents.

The Atlantic Council warned this campaign was a high-risk gamble.

The opinion does not carry the force of law but sets up a confrontation with Congress and the National Archives.

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Axios

Trump said he is committed to preserving records and maintaining a rigorous retention program.

Lawmakers from both parties expressed alarm.

This raises profound questions about transparency and accountability.