Why preserving presidential papers at the National Archives is critical
The National Archives has been in the news lately, not so much for what is in its collection, but for what was missing: some presidential records.
The National Archives has been in the news lately, not so much for what is in its collection, but for what was missing: some presidential records.
Whether it's a petition from a first lady or just the first stop on an immigrant's journey in America, the National Archives preserves the records of all Americans.
It's not just home to the U.S.'s founding documents. The National Archives safeguards about 13.5 billion paper records, including the check used to buy Alaska and Adolf Hitler's will.
The National Archives, built to safeguard America's heritage, holds more than 13.5 billion paper records. But it's been in the news lately for what was missing: certain presidential papers.
"CBS Evening News" anchor and managing editor Norah O'Donnell and "60 Minutes" have spent the last few months going inside the National Archives, learning about the agency that holds not only the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, but millions of other pieces of important history. Here are some of them.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered remarks to the Congressional Ukraine Caucus at the National Archives in Washington, D.C., on Thursday. "I thank every American, everyone in the world who is helping, for every life saved in Ukraine," Zelenskyy said.
The U.S. government's ability to safeguard its most sensitive information is under fire. On Friday, former Vice President Mike Pence acknowledged "mistakes were made" after classified documents were recently found in his Indiana home. The discoveries with Pence, former President Trump and President Biden have prompted the National Archives to ask every living former president and vice president to check for classified records. But many in Congress are questioning why the executive branch was not more careful. Christina Ruffini is at the White House with the latest.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Sen. Mark Warner, Sen. Marco Rubio and former Rep. Val Demings will appear on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" this Sunday.
The National Archives is asking six past administrations, dating back to Ronald Reagan, to check for classified documents. FBI Director Chris Wray said people need to be more “conscious of the rules” after material marked classified was discovered at the homes of President Biden, former President Trump and former Vice President Pence. CBS News chief election & campaign correspondent Robert Costa reports from Washington.
Here is a look at some of the key events surrounding the discovery of government documents in Mr. Biden's possession.
President Biden is commenting for the first time since CBS News learned roughly 10 documents marked classified were found at his former office in Washington. CBS News' Adriana Diaz reports, and national security attorney Mark Zaid joins John Dickerson on "Prime Time" to discuss the legal ramifications.
His attorneys identified the material when cleaning out office space at the center and immediately notified the White House counsel.
The National Archives has released more than 13,000 previously classified documents related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. CBS News' Elaine Quijano and Michelle Miller are joined by presidential historian Lindsay Chervinsky to discuss the significance.
The National Archives is disclosing unredacted of the thousands of records amid a yearslong battle to uncover some of the most sensitive material related to Kennedy's death.
Two women testified before the House Ethics Committee that Matt Gaetz paid them "for sex," their lawyer told CBS News' Major Garrett.
A judge has struck down Wyoming's overall ban on abortion and its first-in-the nation explicit prohibition on the use of medication to end pregnancy.
The families of eight school shooting victims opened their doors to Steve Hartman and photographer Lou Bopp, allowing them to document their children's bedrooms.
Chinese authorities haven't said how many children and adults were injured in the latest incident at a school, nor if it was an accident, or the latest in a series of attacks targeting kids.
Over the last year, the number of school districts in Ohio that allow staff to be armed quadrupled, with 14% of the state's districts now participating.
Paul Teal's fiancée and fellow "One Tree Hill" actors shared tribute posts memorializing him.
Parts of the Great Barrer Reef have suffered the highest coral mortality on record, Australian researchers say, and they fear the rest of it has suffered a similar fate.
Stop & Shop stores across Massachusetts had empty shelves on Monday due to a cyberattack.
Arthur Frommer, whose "Europe on 5 Dollars a Day" guidebooks revolutionized leisure travel by persuading average Americans to take budget vacations abroad, has died. He was 95.
A man pleaded guilty in the 2015 killings of a Georgia couple after a magnet fisher pulled in a rifle and other evidence linked to the case.
Texas public elementary schools could use teachings from the Bible in lessons under a proposal drawing intense opposition and praise.
A judge has struck down Wyoming's overall ban on abortion and its first-in-the nation explicit prohibition on the use of medication to end pregnancy.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom decided to defer the Menendez brothers' clemency decision to incoming District Attorney Nathan Hochman.
Over the last year, the number of school districts in Ohio that allow staff to be armed quadrupled, with 14% of the state's districts now participating.
Arthur Frommer, whose "Europe on 5 Dollars a Day" guidebooks revolutionized leisure travel by persuading average Americans to take budget vacations abroad, has died. He was 95.
"Inside the NBA" will continue on other networks, even though will no longer be airing on TNT at the end of this season.
Stop & Shop stores across Massachusetts have empty shelves due to a cyberattack.
Spirit's bankruptcy filing will likely mean higher airfares across airlines as it trims schedule, according to experts.
Robert F. Kennedy's Jr. push to remove fluoride from the nation's public water supply could benefit some companies. Here's why.
Texas public elementary schools could use teachings from the Bible in lessons under a proposal drawing intense opposition and praise.
President-elect Donald Trump says former Wisconsin Rep. Sean Duffy is his choice for transportation secretary as he continues to roll out picks for his Cabinet.
Robert F. Kennedy's Jr. push to remove fluoride from the nation's public water supply could benefit some companies. Here's why.
President-elect Donald Trump announced he selected former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz to serve as attorney general.
Two women testified before the House Ethics Committee that Matt Gaetz paid them "for sex," their lawyer told CBS News' Major Garrett.
Robert F. Kennedy's Jr. push to remove fluoride from the nation's public water supply could benefit some companies. Here's why.
Kennedy insists he is not "anti-vaccine," but he has a long record of false and misleading statements about their safety and benefits. What could he do as Trump's HHS secretary?
Canada's Bestar recalled wall beds only after learning of dozens of cases in which its beds detached from the walls, feds say.
E. coli outbreaks in food are making headlines, prompting questions about how to stay safe from the bacteria that can cause sickness.
There is currently no cure for Parkinson's Disease. But some with Parkinson's are finding that an unusual therapy – rock climbing – is helping them improve their balance, mobility, strength and cognition.
Parts of the Great Barrer Reef have suffered the highest coral mortality on record, Australian researchers say, and they fear the rest of it has suffered a similar fate.
Chinese authorities haven't said how many children and adults were injured in the latest incident at a school, nor if it was an accident, or the latest in a series of attacks targeting kids.
Ballet dancer Vladimir Shklyarov fell from a fifth-floor balcony after taking painkillers ahead of back surgery, Russian media reported.
Air pollution chokes New Delhi every winter, but this year's smog has already derailed everything from transport and road work to schools.
The sister of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, an American activist killed in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, says her idealistic vision of the U.S. has been shattered.
Paul Teal's fiancée and fellow "One Tree Hill" actors shared tribute posts memorializing him.
"Inside the NBA" will continue on other networks, even though will no longer be airing on TNT at the end of this season.
The stars of Ridley Scott's "Gladiator II" discuss the film's legacy and stepping back into the world of ancient Rome.
The much-hyped fight pitting the 58-year-old Tyson against Paul, 27, shattered records but was marred by tech glitches.
Ridley Scott's latest masterpiece revisits the world of ancient Rome with new characters and intense drama. The cast of "Gladiator II" talks to Nate Burleson on working with Scott and carrying forward the spirit of the iconic original.
As climate change intensifies, the race for a more eco-friendly car has revved up. Itay Hod reports on the newest twist on travel.
In an online conversation about aging adults, Google's Gemini AI chatbot responded with a threatening message, telling the user to "please die."
From labor shortages to environmental impacts, farmers are looking to AI to help revolutionize the agriculture industry. One California startup, Farm-ng, is tapping into the power of AI and robotics to perform a wide range of tasks, including seeding, weeding and harvesting.
On Wednesday, a judge allowed a Federal Trade Commission lawsuit to move forward that accuses Meta of creating an illegal monopoly with Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. CBS News MoneyWatch correspondent Kelly O'Grady explains.
The Guardian says benefits of being on Elon Musk's social media platform X are outweighed by its "often disturbing content."
Parts of the Great Barrer Reef have suffered the highest coral mortality on record, Australian researchers say, and they fear the rest of it has suffered a similar fate.
President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to "drill, baby, drill" on Day 1 in office. CBS News national environmental correspondent David Schechter joins to take a closer look at the environmental impact of some of Trump's potential energy and climate policies.
2024 is on pace to be the hottest year on record worldwide. CBS News Los Angeles meteorologist and climatologist Marina Jurica reports that extreme weather events cost the global economy over $2 trillion in the last 10 years.
Scientists say they've discovered a "mega coral" three times bigger than the previous record holder - so huge they initially thought it was a shipwreck.
Seal-shaped boards decked with bright horizontal lights were less likely to be attacked by great white sharks, researchers found.
A man pleaded guilty in the 2015 killings of a Georgia couple after a magnet fisher pulled in a rifle and other evidence linked to the case.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom decided to defer the Menendez brothers' clemency decision to incoming District Attorney Nathan Hochman.
CBS News has learned the case against the man accused of killing a University of Georgia nursing student could be in the hands of the judge as early as Tuesday. Jose Ibarra, an undocumented immigrant from Venezuela, has pleaded not guilty to killing 22-year-old Laken Riley while she was jogging on campus in February. CBS News national correspondent Manuel Bojorquez has the latest from Athens, Georgia.
Officials say 13 people were shot during two incidents along a New Orleans "second line" parade route. CBS News' Kati Weis breaks down what's known.
Jose Ibarra's trial for the murder of Laken Riley, a student at Georgia's Augusta University College of Nursing, continues as Ibarra's family members are expected to testify on his behalf. CBS News contributor Caroline Polisi breaks down the latest in the case.
Researchers analyzed lunar soil brought back by China's Chang'e-6, the first spacecraft to return with a haul of rocks and dirt from the little-explored far side.
November's full moon, known as the Beaver Moon, is the last supermoon of 2024. Here's when it peaks and why it's called the Beaver Moon.
Medical issues aside, the astronauts described a water leak in June that triggered a blizzard in the International Space Station's airlock.
With an Election Day docking, the cargo ship delivered 3 tons of supplies and equipment, including an unusual wooden satellite.
Two sister meteor showers are already flashing across night skies — and will peak a week apart.
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.
See some of convicted serial killer Rodney Alcala's photographs that were discovered by detectives in a Seattle storage locker.
The seesaw marriage between the former ballerina and her much older husband only lasted four years, until she shot him on Sept. 27, 2020.
A look at the evidence in "The Dexter Killer" case; plus, newly revealed letters from the man police say wanted to be like fictional serial killer Dexter Morgan.
Live performances are in full swing this summer. Scroll through our concert gallery, featuring pictures by CBS News photojournalist Jake Barlow and photographers Ed Spinelli and Kirstine Walton.
President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to "drill, baby, drill" on Day 1 in office. CBS News national environmental correspondent David Schechter joins to take a closer look at the environmental impact of some of Trump's potential energy and climate policies.
There are signs of progress on at least one front of the conflict in the Middle East. CBS News senior foreign correspondent Elizabeth Palmer has the latest on reports of a cease-fire deal between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Americans are bracing for President-elect Donald Trump's proposed tariff hikes on imported goods. CBS News MoneyWatch correspondent Kelly O'Grady looks at the potential economic impact. Then, small business owner Andy Gossett joins to discuss what the tariffs would mean for his outdoor sporting goods company.
At least two of President-elect Donald Trump's Cabinet picks are involved in controversy. Now there are questions about whether Matt Gaetz and Pete Hegseth have the support to get confirmed for their intended roles. CBS News congressional correspondent Nikole Killion has new reporting.
Spirit Airlines is filing for bankruptcy ahead of the busy holiday travel season. The budget airline has faced multiple setbacks recently, including rising labor costs and a failed merger with JetBlue. CBS News senior transportation correspondent Kris Van Cleave has more on what this means for travelers.