February 20, 2020: Scrubbing History, Rot Runs Deep, Fundamental Hygiene

In an essay published in The New York Times, Matthew Connelly warns that the National Archives is currently scrubbing the historical record. It was bad enough, writes Connelly, that the Archives found itself embroiled in a scandal in which photos of the Women's March had been doctored, but the rot seems to have gone much deeper. (1)

Connelly writes that “(T)his is only the latest example of a growing threat to our nation's capacity to protect and learn from history. The press and public have focused on the immediate, obvious problems, like this president's exaggerated claims of executive privilege and national security to conceal information. But less appreciated is the fact that vital information is being deleted or destroyed, so that no one—neither the press and government watchdogs today, nor historians tomorrow—will have a chance to see it.” (2)

Our Caesar Disgustus has long made it a practice, Connelly points out, to tear up notes on meetings and bury transcripts and other records. The recent example of deep-sixing telephone transcripts, the failure to keep White House appointment and telephone logs are notorious examples, as are tearing up notes and records, all violations—as Connelly notes—of the Presidential Records Act. This was another act made into law by Congress in the wake of Watergate to prevent another cover-up. But, like so many other laws passed by Congress to protect us from national scandal and abuses of power (the 1974 act preventing the President from thwarting the will of the Congress as to how money is to be spent, the 1924 act requiring the President to produce his tax returns to duly authorized committees of Congress, both measures passed in wake of scandal) this is just another nuisance brushed aside by our golden swine.

But the rot seeps out of the White House at it makes its way into the sinews of governance. And here the rather nondescript offices of The National Archives—yes The National Archives—come into scrutiny.

Evidently, a document released in 2017 revealed that “Archivists had agreed that officials from Immigration and Customs Enforcement could delete or destroy documents detailing the sexual abuse and death of undocumented immigrants. Tens of thousands of people posted critical comments, and dozens of senators and representatives objected. The National Archives made some changes to the plan, but last month it announced that ICE could start destroying records from Mr. Trump's first year, including detainees' complaints about civil rights violations and shoddy medical care.” (3)

Rest assured there is more. The Interior Department and the Archives “have decided to delete files on endangered species, offshore drilling inspections and the safety of drinking water. The Interior Department even claimed that papers from a case where it mismanaged Native American land and assets—resulting in a multibillion-dollar legal settlement—would be of no interest to future historians (or anyone else). Virtually all the papers of the undersecretary of state for economic growth, energy and environment are also being designated ass 'temporary.

It is hard to know why the government is not holding on to records about antidumping efforts, or the protection of intellectual property, which fall under the new temporary status. It is perhaps easier to understand why the Trump administration wants to delete other records from the under secretary's office, including documents regarding the enforcement (or non-enforcement) of 'health, safety and environmental laws'” (4)

There has been little, if any Congressional oversight. “Not so much as a Congressional hearing”. (5) Indeed, the State Department is planning to cut out archivists altogether, going instead to some computerized algorithm to decide what is “historical” and what isn't.

“Going forward,” writes Connelly, “it is not even planning to turn these records over to the National Archives—a clear violation of the Federal Records Act. (6)

Like everything else tRUMPian, this has been a development some time in the making. The CIA has turned over less than 10 per cent of it's records according to Connelly, and is providing less and less compliance as time goes on; and, given its record, this is deeply troubling.

What's driving this is, in Connelly's view, is both the volume of records and the unwillingness to fund the record keeping. In 1985, for instance, there were 13 million records. Now there are more than 21 billion. But the National Archives, Connelly notes, has few employees now than it had in 1985, and Congress continues to cut it's budget as it has for the last three years.

Indeed, it has become so bad that the National Archives has announced that it will no longer maintain any more presidential libraries.

Every organization rots from the head down. The ship of state is so dysfunctional that even fundamental housekeeping is being abandoned. What was once an imposing Man-of-War has been hollowed out and transformed into a garbage scow. With Caesar Disgustus now firmly at the helm, the rot—at increased speed—is spreading over the deck into every nook and crevice. Yes, the failure to observe elementary hygiene has produced a stench now fouling every port-of call, the nation and every foreign capital. The rot runs deep, threatening the very historical record.

An Br'er Putin, he jus' laugh and laugh

Impeach and Imprison.

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1. Connelly, Matthew. “Closing the Court of History” The New York Times. Wednesday, February 5, 2020. Page A27.
2. Ibid
3. ibid
4. ibid
5. ibid
6. ibid