Judge orders White House to preserve records of Trump's calls with foreign leaders

[Dennis Donovan]

https://www.axios.com/judge-orders-white-house-preserve-records-68cee3dc-0a80-4eb8-ba29-2d702232e879.html?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=organic

U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson ordered the White House on Thursday to preserve records of President Trump’s communications with foreign leaders, including those with Ukraine's president that have spurred an impeachment inquiry in the House, according to Politico.

Why it matters: Jackson's order seems to address concerns outlined in a whistleblower complaint that the White House has used procedures reserved for highly sensitive information to to limit access to potentially damaging conversations between Trump and foreign leaders. CNN has reported that officials took steps to restrict access to Trump's calls with Vladimir Putin, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Details: Jackson ordered the White House to not destroy records of Trump's "meetings, phone calls, and other communications with foreign leaders," and to preserve "all records of efforts by White House or other executive branch officials to return, ‘claw back,’ ’lock down’ or recall White House records” about dealings with foreign officials, per Politico.

The order is the result of a lawsuit filed in May by watchdog groups and 2 history-focused organizations that alleged that the Trump administration is violating the Presidential Records Act.

Though the suit predates Trump's phone call with Zelensky, lawyers asked Jackson on Oct. 1 to issue a temporary restraining order, citing reports that records of Trump’s actions were being locked down.

Jackson did not grant the restraining order, but she did file the request for 6 categories of records to be preserved.

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Good idea!

[onetexan]

1. This took long enough. Lets see if they comply.

I wouldnt be surprised if they've replaced the original server with a newly built one.

[spanone]

2. This probably got the shredders fired up and running.

[bluestarone]

3. Why did she NOT grant restraining order?

[triron]

6. Good question.

[mucifer]

4. Good thing the whistleblowers have their texts

[Golden Raisin]

5. This regime doesn't give a shit

about norms, laws, subpoenas, courts --- any of it. The delete keys and shredders have probably been whirring for weeks, aided and abetted by our supposed "Justice" Department, under rogue and Trump-lackey Barr.

[Garrett78]

10. The only hope we have are whistleblowers.

This administration has repeatedly broken the law, ignored subpoenas and disobeyed judge's orders without consequences.

[Firestorm49]

7. Oh, I'm sure they will preserve the records.....unredacted......unaltered.........ya, right.

[triron]

8. I believe Rachel talked about this Friday night.

[W_HAMILTON]

9. I thought you weren't supposed to destroy documents like that to begin with...

...specifically because of FOIA requests and stuff like that.

It's a sad statement that a judge has to order this corrupt administration to follow the law.

[triron]

12. Still will that be enough?

[greymattermom]

11. It's al digital

and can be found, especially if unsecured phones and messaging systems are used.