In a move that continues his overhaul of federal leadership, President Donald Trump has dismissed Colleen Shogan, the head of the National Archives. The decision, which took place late Friday, adds to the ongoing shifts within government agencies under Trump’s direction, particularly following the National Archives’ involvement in a criminal investigation related to Trump.
A Surprise Dismissal with No Clear Reason
The White House confirmed Shogan’s firing through Sergio Gor, the director of presidential personnel, via a social media post: “At the direction of @realDonaldTrump, the Archivist of the United States has been dismissed tonight. We thank Colleen Shogan for her service.” However, there was no further explanation provided for the dismissal, nor any mention of who would take over her responsibilities at the agency.
Shogan, who became the 11th Archivist of the United States in May 2023, expressed pride in her work despite the sudden end to her tenure. She shared her thoughts in a statement to 404 Media, saying, “It was an honor and privilege to serve as the 11th Archivist of the United States. I did so with integrity every day.” In a LinkedIn post, Shogan further stated, “This evening, President Trump fired me. No cause or reason was cited. I have zero regrets—I absolutely did my best every day for the National Archives and the American people.”
National Archives’ Role in Trump’s Legal Battle
Shogan’s firing comes amid the National Archives’ pivotal involvement in a high-profile investigation into Trump’s mishandling of classified documents. The agency had flagged the issue to the Justice Department in 2022 after Trump failed to return presidential records, including classified materials, as required by law. These documents were eventually retrieved from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate by the FBI.
While Shogan did not lead the National Archives during the early stages of the investigation, her position became closely associated with the fallout. Trump had previously expressed intentions to replace Shogan, saying in an interview with radio host Hugh Hewitt, “We will have a new archivist.”
The case, which later involved an FBI search and recovery of classified materials from Trump’s residence, saw the investigation center on his refusal to return documents. Video footage reportedly showed Trump’s aides moving boxes of classified materials, culminating in the discovery of 11 more sets of documents. Trump pleaded not guilty to any wrongdoing, and in 2024, a federal judge dismissed the case, citing concerns over the constitutionality of the appointment of special counsel Jack Smith. Ultimately, the DOJ closed the investigation following Trump’s re-election, adhering to a policy of not prosecuting sitting presidents.
Trump’s Ongoing Administrative Overhaul
Shogan’s removal is part of a broader trend within Trump’s administration, which has involved the dismissal of various officials tied to investigations against him. In recent months, Trump has fired numerous senior officials from the Justice Department and FBI, including those who played roles in investigations during his presidency.
The situation was further complicated last week when two groups of FBI agents filed lawsuits against the DOJ, accusing the department of using a mandatory survey about their involvement in past investigations to identify targets for dismissal.
This ongoing upheaval has raised concerns about the future of key institutions like the National Archives. As government agencies undergo shifts, questions loom over the preservation of crucial federal records, especially given the uncertainty surrounding the Archives’ leadership.
