Story perspectives

White House Memo Allows Deleting Millions; Historians Push Preservation

4/25/2026

Summary

Story summary

The White House issued a memo on April 2 allowing staff to delete most communications while still requiring documents and emails to be retained and limiting text-message retention to sole-record cases.
The American Historical Association and American Oversight have asked Judge John Bates to order preservation of all presidential records.
Professor Jason R. Baron warned the guidance could let the White House destroy tens of millions of emails before term ends.

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Story summary

The White House issued a memo on April 2 allowing staff to delete most communications while still requiring documents and emails to be retained and limiting text-message retention to sole-record cases.
The American Historical Association and American Oversight have asked Judge John Bates to order preservation of all presidential records.
Professor Jason R. Baron warned the guidance could let the White House destroy tens of millions of emails before term ends.