American media reported on Friday and Saturday that the Trump administration had dismissed the Archivist of the United States Colleen Shogan in what was described as a surprise move. No reason or cause was provided.
Dr. Shogan, who was nominated to the position in 2022, was apparently aware that the president wanted to replace her. CNN reported that she did not expect her removal would happen as soon as Friday and was shocked when she was notified.
The national archivist is responsible for overseeing government records and heads the National Archives, an agency Mr. Trump has repeatedly criticized since it alerted the Justice Department to the president’s handling of classified documents in early 2022.
Dr. Shogan was the 11th Archivist of the United States. She was sworn in on May 17, 2023, and was the first woman appointed to lead the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). She was not in office when the documents investigation began.
Three other women previously served as acting Archivist of the United States.
