President Donald Trump has appointed Jim Byron as Senior Adviser at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), sparking significant shifts within the agency.
Quick Takes
- Acting head of NARA, William Bosanko, resigns amid restructuring.
- Jim Byron, former Nixon Foundation president, takes on a senior adviser role.
- Trump skipped required federal communication processes when removing Colleen Shogan.
- There’s speculation and controversy over future leadership choices for NARA.
Leadership Resignation and New Appointments
Deputy Archivist William Bosanko announced his resignation effective Tuesday, following a brief tenure after Trump removed former Archivist Colleen Shogan without notifying Congress, contrary to federal law mandates. Bosanko’s position was overtaken amidst Trump’s push to install State Secretary Marco Rubio as acting archivist. This move bypasses the automatic succession usually afforded to the deputy archivist. Such restructuring demonstrates Trump’s intent to control NARA.
Jim Byron, with a history in archival circles and as president of the Richard Nixon Foundation, stepped in as the senior adviser role. His leadership will manage daily operations at NARA while a full-time archivist search continues. Byron’s dedication to historical integrity aligns with Trump’s agenda to restructure federal bodies.
Donald Trump’s Federal Agency Strategy
President Trump appointed Byron to headline efforts to enhance the functionality of the National Archives. Byron’s engagement in the Trump administration’s archival endeavors shows consistency with his qualifications and experience. Byron will oversee the transition while taking a temporary leave from the Nixon Foundation, where the vice president of marketing and communication will fill his previous role.
The announcement followed Trump’s broader political strategy to fill key roles across federal government agencies with figures driven by his vision for the nation. Trump’s nomination of Judge Jason Reding Quinones as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Florida and John Jovanovic, recognized for his extensive experience in finance, as chairman of the Export-Import Bank further underscores this approach.
Speculation and Implications for NARA
Amid the NARA alterations, speculation grows over who might next lead the agency, with names like Hugh Hewitt and John Solomon in circulation, although Hewitt has expressed no interest. The changes arrive in the wake of Trump’s legal battles concerning classified documents and underscore a broader effort to dictate the narrative surrounding America’s historical records.
“I am never going back into government. Ever. I want to stay on air through the end of the story and then enjoy grandkids. Not for me.” – Hugh Hewitt
Trump’s approach to NARA’s leadership and the current restructuring has drawn both interest and controversy. The pursuit of a new full-time archivist while implementing immediate agency enhancements signifies an endorsement of Byron’s proven commitment to historical preservation and federal governance reforms.
Sources:
- National Archives Head Resigns as Trump Takes Control of Records – Mother Jones
- Trump names Jim Byron to senior archivist role
- Trump Names Jim Byron as Senior Adviser at National Archives
