Judge rules Cheney must release documents to National Archive

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Vice President Dick Cheney

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A judge ruled, Monday, that vice president Dick Cheney must turn over all documents prepared by him, or his office, in relation to his duties as vice president, to the National Archives after his term as VP has ended.

A lawsuit, launched by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, was precipitated by a statement Cheney made in 2003 stating that neither he, nor the office of vice president of the United States, should be considered entities within the executive branch of government.

Under a U.S. law, the Presidential Records Act, all records relating to the performance of official duties within the executive branch of government must be turned over to the National Archive at the end of a sitting term.  Cheney and his lawyers have fought for a more specific definition of the meaning of "official documents."

The judge in the case expressed concerns that some of the documents in question may not be properly preserved or turned over to the National Archive.  The only records in question are those of the office of the vice president, and not any personal records held by Cheney, or his co-defendants, the Executive Office of the President and the National Archives.

In a broader context, the lawsuit alleges that the Bush administrations activities over the course of its two terms in office have raised questions as to whether or not all relevant documentation will be preserved in the public record.  The transfer of all records should happen when the next elected President takes office in January 2009.