The process by which a President acquires documents on leaving power.

[TheRealZed]

A backgrounder for all this "argy bargy" over classified documents.

For a start, let's acknowledge that the government tends to over classify documents and many of them are classified simply to keep them away from public view even though the information poses little threat. It is an overused tool, and many of us would be left scratching our heads over why many documents were classified in the first place.

When a president leaves the White House, they typically transition their official documents and records to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). This process ensures the preservation and accessibility of these records for historical, legal, and research purposes. The Presidential Records Act of 1978 governs the management and access to these records.
Here's a general overview of the process:

1. Document Preparation: Before leaving office, the outgoing president's staff identifies and compiles the official records, documents, and other materials generated during their time in office. These can include correspondence, memos, briefing papers, policy documents, and more. Personal or non-official materials are typically separated from official records.
2. Transfer to NARA: The records are transferred to NARA, which is responsible for their preservation, management, and eventual release to the public. NARA's Presidential Libraries are the main repositories for these records. Each president has a dedicated library where their records are housed.
3. Access and Restrictions: While the Presidential Records Act aims to make these records available to the public, there are certain restrictions and guidelines in place to protect national security, individual privacy, and sensitive information. Some records might be restricted or classified at the time of transfer.
4. Declassification: If certain documents are classified or contain sensitive information, the process of declassification may be required before they can be released to the public. Declassification involves reviewing the documents to determine if any information can be made public without compromising national security. The procedures for declassification can vary based on the nature of the information and the agency responsible for its classification.
5. Presidential Libraries: NARA's Presidential Libraries play a crucial role in providing access to presidential records. Researchers, historians, journalists, and the public can request access to these records for research purposes. However, some materials might still be restricted due to security or privacy concerns.
6. Public Release: Over time, many records become available to the public as restrictions are lifted and documents are processed for release. This process can take several years, and some particularly sensitive records might remain classified for longer periods.

It's important to note that the exact procedures and timelines can vary based on the specific circumstances, the president's decisions, and any relevant legal or policy changes that might occur. Additionally, advancements in technology and changes in record-keeping practices might influence how this process is carried out in modern times.

The president does have the authority to declassify information, but there are certain limitations and considerations in place. The president's authority to declassify information stems from their role as the ultimate authority in the classification and handling of national security information. However, this authority is not unlimited, and there are a few key points to understand:

1. National Security Concerns: While the president has the authority to declassify information, they are expected to consider national security implications before making such decisions. Information that could compromise ongoing operations, intelligence sources, or other sensitive matters might be withheld from declassification.
2. Expert Advice: Presidents typically rely on the advice of national security advisors, intelligence agencies, and legal experts when making declassification decisions. These advisors provide insights into the potential consequences of declassifying specific information.
3. Classification Authorities: Within the executive branch, different agencies and departments have their own authorities to classify and declassify information. The president's authority generally applies to information originating from executive branch agencies and departments.
4. Presidential Records Act: The Presidential Records Act governs the handling of presidential records, and while the president can choose to declassify information, there is a formal process for reviewing and releasing records to the public. This process involves the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and the relevant presidential library.
5. International Agreements and Treaties: Sometimes, information is classified due to international agreements or treaties. The president's authority to declassify might be influenced by these agreements and the potential impact on international relations.
6. Legal and Ethical Considerations: The president's authority to declassify information should be exercised in alignment with legal and ethical standards. Unauthorised or haphazard declassification could have legal consequences and harm national security.

In practice, declassification decisions are often made in consultation with experts, taking into account factors such as national security, diplomatic relationships, historical context, and public interest. It's also worth noting that the process of declassification can vary depending on the nature of the information and the agencies involved.

 

[TheRealZed]

Do your own research and dispute anything you think is wrong.

The FACT is that no official documents leave the White House without involvement from NARA and without copies being kept. They know who has what because they gave it to them. Nobody toted stuff out in the dead of night... the need to raid a president's home to 'reclaim' documents is a FARCICAL notion that only a naive rube would swallow. Obama has a stash that makes Trumps stash look tiny, but they know what he has, they have copies or even the originals while he has copies.

You know the whole thing is bullshit, we know the whole thing is bullshit, every action is timed to take air time away from major Biden negative stories and trail dates are timed to politically sensitive dates. If you cannot admit that this is, in the least, a little suspect, then you are fooling yourself. Fortunately, around here, that is about the only person you are fooling.

 

[Goldhedge]

You know the whole thing is bullshit, we know the whole thing is bullshit, every action is timed to take air time away from major Biden negative stories and trail dates are timed to politically sensitive dates. If you cannot admit that this is, in the least, a little suspect, then you are fooling yourself. Fortunately, around here, that is about the only person you are fooling.

No wiser words were ever spoke!