A new memo from the Justice Department says President Donald Trump no longer has to follow a Watergate-era law barring him from holding on to presidential records when he leaves office.
It is the latest action by the administration to stymie transparency, government watchdog groups say, and yet another Trump swipe at the National Archives after its role in prompting the criminal case he faced for allegedly mishandling national defense materials.
The DOJ’s Office of Legal Counsel – which gives legal advice to the executive branch – issued an opinion Thursday that said the Presidential Records Act is unconstitutional.
It’s apparently a legal defense for government officials if the action was okayed by legal counsel. They are playing into this by putting only yes-men into power.
Generally, “I did illegal thing because my lawyer advised me to do illegal thing (also I have power to compel my legal team to say whatever I want)” is not a GREAT defense.
Imagine thinking you won’t be disbarred and/or prosecuted as a MAGA lawyer for signing off on this shit. Once the orange shit stain is no longer in office, he can’t save you even if he wanted to.