© 2025 Iowa Public Radio
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Judge in Trump indictment under the Presidential Records Act has paused deadlines for the defense and prosecution

Ways To Subscribe
River to River, hosted by Ben Kieffer

The pause comes after a recent Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity.

From 1789 to 1978, presidents claimed control of their papers and records and took those documents with them when they left office. There was no challenge to this right of ownership until the Presidential Records Act was enacted in 1978, after the Watergate scandal during the Nixon administration.

On this episode of River to River, presidential scholars reflect on Watergate and how it ultimately lead to the enactment of the federal law.

They also discuss how the PRA has been cited in other presidential administrations, including former President Bill Clinton's.

This episode was originally produced July 11, 2023.

Guests:

  • Tim Walch, director emeritus, Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum
  • Donna Hoffman, professor of political science, University of Northern Iowa
Ben Kieffer is the host of IPR's River to River
Samantha McIntosh is a talk show producer for Iowa Public Radio. She holds a bachelor's degree from St. Cloud State University. Since 2022, McIntosh has worked with IPR's talk team to bring news and features to IPR's listening audience.
Madeleine Willis is IPR's Production Assistant supporting the talk shows and The Sunny Side Project. Willis has experience in audio production, reporting, writing and editing stories and conversations. She's reported and produced conversations on womanhood, sports, and good news from across Iowa. Willis will receive her bachelors degree from the University of Iowa in May 2025.