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Rubio’s Acting Stint at National Archives Ends as Duties Shift to James Byron

The change reflects legal limits on acting appointments under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks as U.S. President Donald Trump stands behind him during a press conference following a U.S. strike on Venezuela where President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured, from Trump's Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., January 3, 2026. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio attends the Critical Minerals Ministerial at the State Department in Washington, DC, on February 4, 2026.
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Overview

  • The National Archives’ general counsel said Rubio’s acting term ended on Feb. 5 in compliance with the Federal Vacancies Reform Act’s time limits.
  • Before departing the role, Rubio delegated the archivist’s functions to James Byron, who serves as senior adviser and is now handling day-to-day operations.
  • Byron was previously tapped by President Trump to oversee the agency during the search for a permanent archivist and is president and CEO of the Richard Nixon Foundation.
  • Rubio continues to serve concurrently as secretary of state and national security adviser and remains involved in other administration priorities.
  • The National Archives has been in the spotlight since it alerted the Justice Department in 2022 about Trump’s handling of records, a referral that preceded the Mar-a-Lago search.