This sounds like Gergen is part of damage control.
Other stories said that he took some originals and they were not returned.
It will be interesting to find out what was on them.
I'v never forgiven Gergen for helping Clinton when he was at his lowest point of his presidency. Then I found out that Gergen originally was a Humphrey DemocRAT before he joined the Nixon administration.
Gergen just lost the last shred of credibility he had with me.
Sure does.
As a former (repeat) White House employee, Gergen and Berger both would be familiar with "Executive Order 12958, As Amended, Classified National Security Information"
So Gergen in particular would know that what he's saying above is simply not true.
Presumably Berger would have been briefed by the National Archives on his access rights and responsibilities, and would have signed some kind of authorization document.
PART 4--SAFEGUARDING
Sec. 4.1. General Restrictions on Access. (a) A person may have access to classified information provided that:
(1) a favorable determination of eligibility for access has been made by an agency head or the agency heads designee;
(2) the person has signed an approved nondisclosure agreement; and
(3) the person has a need-to-know the information.
(b) Every person who has met the standards for access to classified information in paragraph (a) of this section shall receive contemporaneous training on the proper safeguarding of classified information and on the criminal, civil, and administrative sanctions that may be imposed on an individual who fails to protect classified information from unauthorized disclosure.
[snip]
(d) Classified information may not be removed from official premises without proper authorization.
Sec. 4.4. Access by Historical Researchers and Certain Former Government Personnel. (a) The requirement in section 4.1(a)(3) of this order that access to classified information may be granted only to individuals who have a need-to-know the information may be waived for persons who:
(1) are engaged in historical research projects;
(2) previously have occupied policy-making positions to which they were appointed by the President under section 105(a)(2)(A) of title 3, United States Code, or the Vice President under 106(a)(1)(A) of title 3, United States Code;