Trump dismisses head of the National Archives
Share and Follow


President Donald Trump dismissed the head of the National Archives, a White House official said Friday night, following through on a vow last month to change the leadership atop the agency, which was involved in the criminal case that had accused Trump of mishandling classified documents.

White House director of presidential personnel Sergio Gor said on X that national archivist Colleen Shogan was dismissed Friday night at Trump’s direction.

“At the direction of @realDonaldTrump the Archivist of the United States has been dismissed tonight. We thank Colleen Shogan for her service,” Gor wrote.

Gor did not indicate who would take over Shogan’s position.

The National Archives did not provide a response when asked about Shogan’s dismissal, instead referring NBC News to the White House for comment. The White House did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

A post from a LinkedIn account seemingly belonging to Shogan acknowledged the termination.

“This evening, President Trump fired me. No cause or reason was cited. It has been an honor serving as the 11th Archivist of the United States. I have zero regrets – I absolutely did my best every day for the National Archives and the American people,” the post said.

Trump said in an interview with radio host Hugh Hewitt last month that he intended to fire Shogan, saying: “We will have a new archivist.”

The National Archives played a key role in the criminal case against Trump, alerting the Justice Department in 2022 that Trump had potentially mishandled classified documents after the president failed to return records that the agency had requested, something presidents are required to do after departing office.

Shogan, who became national archivist in May 2023, was not leading the agency at the time of its involvement in the case.

Trump eventually returned some of the records but kept others, and investigators said they obtained security video in July 2022 showing Trump’s aides moving boxes of classified documents. The FBI later opened a criminal investigation into Trump, searching his Mar-a-Lago residence and finding 11 additional sets of documents. 

Trump, who was the first former president charged with federal crimes, pleaded not guilty to any wrongdoing. 

The Trump-appointed federal judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the case last year, arguing the DOJ’s special counsel Jack Smith had been unconstitutionally appointed. Smith appealed the dismissal but wound down the case following Trump’s election last year due to the Justice Department’s longstanding practice not to prosecute sitting presidents.

Since taking office last month, the Trump administration has dismissed a number of officials who have been involved in investigations against the president, firing several Justice Department career lawyers and senior FBI officials. Two groups of FBI agents who participated in investigations against him sued the DOJ on Tuesday, alleging a survey they were instructed to fill out about their roles was instead used to identify targets for dismissal.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Costco early shopping perk takes effect Monday. Here's what to know.

Unmasking the Truth: Costco Hit with Lawsuit Over Alleged Kirkland Tequila Deception

A recent class-action lawsuit has been filed against Costco Wholesale Corporation, accusing…
Epstein emails expose the reporters who cozied up to a predator

Revealed: Journalists’ Secret Connections with Jeffrey Epstein

Jeffrey Epstein maintained a close connection with a pair of notable journalists,…
A Colorado man was arrested after recording a deputy. It led to an $80,000 payout.

Colorado Man’s Arrest for Filming Deputy Results in $80,000 Settlement

A man who initially sought to lodge a complaint about a deputy’s…
Whitesnake's David Coverdale's wife: He wanted to retire 35 years ago

Whitesnake’s David Coverdale Reveals Surprising Retirement Plans from Decades Ago

Cindy Barker is more than ready for her spouse, David Coverdale, to…
CurlMix, Chicago business featured on 'Shark Tank' in 2019, asks for help amid economic struggles, tariffs

CurlMix Faces Economic Challenges: Chicago’s ‘Shark Tank’ Success Seeks Community Support Amid Tariff Impact

In a compelling appeal to the community, a Chicago entrepreneur who once…
Man pardoned for breaking park law unsure how he reached Trump 'radar'

Park Law Violator Puzzled by Unexpected Pardon from Trump Administration

A trail runner who received a presidential pardon from Donald Trump for…
Student arrested after disrupting Dave Portnoy’s pizza review with antisemitic rant caught on video: police

Fundraiser Surpasses $36K for Individual Accused of Harassing Dave Portnoy Following Antisemitic Remarks

A fundraising campaign has raised over $36,000 for a young man formerly…
Trump detonates MTG alliance in stunning break-up announcement

Trump Severs Ties with Marjorie Taylor Greene: Shocking Break-Up Shakes Political Alliance

Donald Trump has pulled back his endorsement of Marjorie Taylor Greene, a…