Overview
- The National Archives’ general counsel said Rubio’s acting term ended on Feb. 5 in compliance with the Federal Vacancies Reform Act’s time limits.
- Before departing the role, Rubio delegated the archivist’s functions to James Byron, who serves as senior adviser and is now handling day-to-day operations.
- Byron was previously tapped by President Trump to oversee the agency during the search for a permanent archivist and is president and CEO of the Richard Nixon Foundation.
- Rubio continues to serve concurrently as secretary of state and national security adviser and remains involved in other administration priorities.
- The National Archives has been in the spotlight since it alerted the Justice Department in 2022 about Trump’s handling of records, a referral that preceded the Mar-a-Lago search.