SAA Response to AOTUS Removal Urges Advocacy

CHICAGO—The leadership of the Society of American Archivists (SAA) is alarmed by the dismissal of the Archivist of the United States on February 7, 2025. We believe the removal of AOTUS with no stated cause does harm to our nation and its people. The Society wants to reassure our colleagues across the profession that we continue to support the mission of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) to preserve and provide access to the essential records of the federal government.

As archivists, we adhere to a set of core values that champion accountability and social responsibility and promote preservation, access, and use. Protecting the integrity of the federal record and affirming the work of those who care for it aligns with our professional codes and responsibilities.

SAA will continue to monitor the situation at NARA and will actively work to support NARA workers and archivists across the United States. In the meantime, we want to remind you that your voice matters; please take a few minutes to contact your legislators today.

Find your legislator: https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials/

It’s all in the details. When advocating, use statistics and facts to help support your claims. Tell your representatives and senators why the safekeeping of government archives is essential to a free and healthy democracy. Call or write to them to share how national archives change lives. Some examples include:

• preserving and promoting our nation’s foundational documents, 
• giving veterans access to their personnel records to secure benefits, 
• connecting with your family’s history, 
• teaching students about the history of the United States, and 
• studying and understanding the human experience. 

SAA will continue to support our NARA colleagues by contacting policymakers directly about the importance of government archives and records management. We appreciate the voices of the many SAA members who have reached out to us over the past few days and stand with you as partners in advocacy.