Had another late night thought, which I’d like to share. I did some initial research and my thought is that there might be *some* merit.
I was perusing a certain video site (yes, cat videos) but the thought of the Poppy Bush funeral and the envelopes came to mind, so I of course took a look. Like the rest of us, I wonder what specifically was in those envelopes. We’re not likely to find out but then...
Wait...Pence got one.
I then looked up the Presidential Records Act of 1978.
“Presidential Records Act (PRA) of 1978
The Presidential Records Act (PRA) of 1978, 44 U.S.C. ß2201-2209, governs the official records of Presidents and Vice Presidents that were created or received after January 20, 1981 (i.e., beginning with the Reagan Administration). The PRA changed the legal ownership of the official records of the President from private to public, and established a new statutory structure under which Presidents, and subsequently NARA, must manage the records of their Administrations. The PRA was amended in 2014, which established several new provisions.
Specifically, the PRA:
Establishes public ownership of all Presidential records and defines the term Presidential records.
Requires that Vice-Presidential records be treated in the same way as Presidential records.
Places the responsibility for the custody and management of incumbent Presidential records with the President.”
What records are covered?
Ҥ 2201. Definitions
As used in this chapter—
(1) The term “documentary material” means all books, correspondence, memoranda, documents, papers, pamphlets, works of art, models, pictures, photographs, plats, maps, films, and motion pictures, including, but not limited to, audio and visual records, or other electronic or mechanical recordations, whether in analog, digital, or any other form.
(2) The term “Presidential records” means documentary materials, or any reasonably segregable portion thereof, created or received by the President, the President’s immediate staff, or a unit or individual of the Executive Office of the President whose function is to advise or assist the President, in the course of conducting activities which relate to or have an effect upon the carrying out of the constitutional, statutory, or other official or ceremonial duties of the President. Such term—
(A) includes any documentary materials relating to the political activities of the President or members of the President’s staff, but only if such activities relate to or have a direct effect upon the carrying out of constitutional, statutory, or other official or ceremonial duties of the President; but
(B) does not include any documentary materials that are (i) official records of an agency (as defined in section 552(e) of title 5, United States Code; (ii) personal records; (iii) stocks of publications and stationery; or (iv) extra copies of documents produced only for convenience of reference, when such copies are clearly so identified.”
Source: archives.gov
If I’m understanding correctly, the program and any enclosures within that program for the Poppy Bush funeral are clearly covered by the PRA as an official ceremonial duty and we should be able to request a copy. Since that event was a publicly broadcast event, there couldn’t be anything in that program that would be considered classified, so the public has a right to see.
Wouldn’t it be interesting what would happen if someone requested that information?
Also, wouldn’t it be interesting if Pence got hammered with “what was written in the envelope” questions over and over?
My 2 cents,
Ping to our FOIA activist.
Re
Wouldn’t it be interesting what would happen if someone requested that information?
Also, wouldn’t it be interesting if Pence got hammered with “what was written in the envelope” questions over and over?
....
Two very interesting ideas!
Ref, Poppy Bush funeral. EXCELLENT thought!! Let’s get the secret note!!
+++!!