The Presidential Records Act of 1978 sets out rules for the management and custody of presidential records, including when a president may dispose of certain records.

U.S. President Donald Trump, flanked by Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick speaks during a press briefing at the White House, following the Supreme Court's ruling that Trump had exceeded his authority when he imposed tariffs, in Washington, D.C., U.S., Feb. 20, 2026.
Credit: REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo