A Signal Truth: Posts that Conduct Public Business are Public Records.
Good morning from Washington, where the cherry blossoms are at peak bloom and I am at peak lividity about public records. I wanted to share a short reflection today. More on Sunshine Week, soon.
Yesterday, I published a post from the archives, sharing an interview in which the former Chief Records Officer of the United States told me that blog posts and electronic messages are public records:
“We do, however, expect agencies to issue policies and guidance, and deploy software or other tools if needed, to ensure the adequate and proper documentation of all official decisions, activities, transactions, etc,” wrote Brewer, in December 2020. “This includes implementing procedures consistent with 44 U.S.C. 2911, which requires that electronic messages sent via personal accounts be copied to or forwarded to an official account within 20 days [after the original creation or transmission of the record].”
The National Archives and Records Administration hasn’t published official guidance on official uses of Signal yet nor responded to my inquiry on Friday, but I bet know what they would say:
If public business has been conducted on an electronic messaging platform or apps, then public records generated there should be memorialized.
As I wrote over at e-PluribusUnum.org, where I’ve now been publishing since 2013 (!), the acting Archivist of the United States, and all of the Cabinet officials should now make it clear to the American people that they will uphold their oath to faithfully carry out those laws by preserving public records in the days and months to come.
It’s not shocking that President Trump is now not just tolerating serial violations of the rule of law in 2025 but defending them — but it should still shocking all Americans that Congress & the Department of Justice would.
Federal law enforcement should be saying they will hold accountable any officials who do not uphold public trust by intentionally using platforms or apps that destroy posts by default, not deflecting with references to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
This must not become a partisan issue nor should it be further politicized. I fear both have already occurred.
Public service is a public trust. Public records remain the backbone of an open government of, by, and for the People.
