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MemoMemorandumObama · D

Presidential Memorandum

Designation of Officers of the National Archives and Records Administration To Act as Archivist of the United States

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In simple terms

This memorandum establishes a new order of succession for acting Archivist of the United States within the National Archives and Records Administration, listing four officials in priority order. It revokes a 2006 predecessor memorandum and preserves presidential discretion to depart from the designated succession.

Federal Register Open PDF 77 FR 31163

Record & deadlines

  1. Signed

    Signed by the President

  2. FR published

    Published in the Federal Register · 77 FR 31163

    Federal Register PDF

  3. Publication in Federal Register

Key directives

  • Establish order of succession: Chief Operating Officer, Executive for Agency Services, Director of National Personnel Records Center, Director of George W. Bush Library
  • Revoke March 22, 2006 memorandum
  • Authorize Archivist to publish in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Prior policyRollback

  • revokeMemorandum for the Archivist of the United States of March 22, 2006 (Designation of Officers of the National Archives and Records Administration)

What to expect

Immediate

  • Revocation of March 22, 2006 memorandum takes effect
  • New succession order effective upon signing

Near term (90d)

—

Long term

  • Order of succession remains in place until superseded by future presidential action

Risks & tensions

  • Low institutional risk; standard administrative housekeeping
  • Presidential discretion clause in Section 2(c) creates potential uncertainty but is legally conventional
  • Succession depth includes politically-named library director (George W. Bush Library), which is standard practice for presidential libraries but notable
Presidential Memorandum: Designation of Officers of the National Archives and Records Administration To Act as Archivist of the United States · Executive Orders