Reading Room Document

The President's Papers

This opinion analyzes the Federal Records Act of 1950 and explains the difference between “official” papers of presidents, which have always belonged to the government, and “personal” papers, for which title passes from the president to the government upon deposit with the GSA under § 507(e). The opinion notes that because there is no title passage provision with respect to official papers of heads of agencies, Congress likely already regarded those records as owned by the government, and notes that “removal of such papers by heads of agencies might well be a crime,” citing § 2071.

April 6, 1951