Federal Judge Orders Trump Administration to Comply with Presidential Records Act After DOJ Memo Declared It Unconstitutional

A U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. granted an emergency injunction on May 20, 2026, requiring the Trump administration to comply with the Presidential Records Act (PRA). The ruling came in response to lawsuits filed by the American Historical Association, American Oversight, CREW, and the Freedom of the Press Foundation after the Department of Justice's Office of Legal Counsel issued a memo declaring the PRA unconstitutional and stating President Trump 'need not further comply' with its requirements. The court order, effective May 26, enjoins White House entities and advisors to preserve all presidential and vice presidential records, including text messages, directly rebuking the administration's attempt to evade federal record-keeping laws designed to ensure government transparency and historical accountability.

"President Trump 'need not further comply' with Presidential Records Act requirements" — From the Department of Justice Office of Legal Counsel memo declaring the Presidential Records Act unconstitutional, which prompted the emergency court intervention