Further Implementation of the Presidential Records Act
Establishes Procedures Limiting Access to Former Presidents' Records
What it does
Agencies must follow set procedures for former and current Presidents to review and claim privileges before releasing presidential records.
Real-world impact
- Delays public access to presidential records pending presidential review.
- Allows former Presidents or their representatives to request records withheld.
- Applies the same procedures to Vice Presidential records and notifications.
Topics
Summary
This order sets rules for how presidential records are reviewed before the National Archives releases them. It requires the Archivist to notify and give copies to the former and current Presidents, who have limited time to review and claim constitutional privileges that can block release.
It covers privileged materials like secret military, diplomatic, legal, and presidential communications, and applies similar rules to Vice Presidential records. The order lets former Presidents name representatives and keeps records withheld until both Presidents agree or a final court order allows release.
Questions, answered
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- “What agencies are affected by this order?”
- “How does this order change existing policy?”
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