
CNN
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The Trump administration is initiating a significant overhaul at the National Archives and Records Administration, leading to the departure of key leadership figures, as reported by an insider. President Donald Trump has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the agency following its decision to request a Justice Department investigation into Trump’s handling of classified documents after his presidency.
Following the recent ousting of Archivist Colleen Shogan, Trump administration officials indicated their intent to replace the current leadership team with individuals loyal to Trump, according to sources familiar with the situation.
The initial communication to staff came via an email from Deputy Archivist William J. Bosanko on Friday, in which he announced his retirement after 32 years of service, expressing that it had been “a privilege and an honor” to work at the Archives.
A longtime veteran of the agency, whose mother also had a notable career at the National Archives, Bosanko encouraged his team to focus on their mission and support each other, expressing deep respect and admiration for their work amid these changes within the agency.
Alongside Bosanko, it is reported that five additional senior officials are also likely to resign from their positions.
CNN has reached out to both the National Archives and the White House for further comments on the situation.
The significance of the National Archives has increased in recent years, particularly after the FBI’s search of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago property, which was part of an investigation into the mishandling of presidential documents, including sensitive classified materials.
The departure of senior officials is viewed as a significant blow to the National Archives, an agency known for its commitment to nonpartisanship and the preservation of historical records.
These resignations follow Trump’s commitment to restructuring the agency.
The National Archives’ inspector general had referred the matter to the Department of Justice in 2022, after spending over a year attempting to negotiate with Trump regarding the return of presidential documents, including highly classified items.
As the acting archivist since Shogan’s dismissal, Bosanko is widely respected and well-liked among colleagues.
His peers commend Bosanko for maintaining the agency’s nonpartisan stance, with a former senior official describing him as “a consummate professional” dedicated to preserving important historical documents.
The farewell message from Bosanko was titled “Littera Scripta Manet,” a Latin phrase meaning “The Word Remains,” which holds significance for those involved in archiving history. He also included a copy of the Archivist’s Code.
Plans for new leadership at the National Archives are anticipated to be announced by the White House in the near future.