Trump Appoints Jim Byron as Senior Adviser at the National Archives
Jim Byron’s nomination arrives just one week after Trump removed archivist Colleen Shogan from her position.
On Sunday, President Donald Trump announced the appointment of Jim Byron, president and CEO of the Richard Nixon Foundation, as a senior adviser to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).
Trump noted that Byron will report to State Secretary Marco Rubio, who is also the acting archivist at NARA. The president mentioned that Byron will oversee the daily operations of NARA until a permanent archivist is appointed.
Since November 2021, Byron has been at the helm of the Richard Nixon Foundation, the nonprofit entity that co-manages the presidential library site in Yorba Linda, California, alongside NARA. He also serves on its board of directors.
The foundation confirmed that Byron will take a leave of absence until a full-time archivist is appointed by the Trump administration. In his absence, the foundation’s vice president of marketing and communications will step in as the acting CEO.
Shogan, who has been in the role since 2023, mentioned on her LinkedIn profile that she had not been provided any reason for her departure.
The legislation specifies that the archivist is to be appointed by the president “with the advice and consent of the Senate” and “without regard to political affiliations.” Appointments must be made “solely on the basis of the professional qualifications needed for the duties and responsibilities of the office of archivist,” it elaborates.
On the same day, the president also revealed his choice of Judge Jason Reding Quinones as the next U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Florida.