https://www.rsbnetwork.com/news/declassified-trump-had-a-standing-order-deeming-documents-taken-to-mar-a-lago-were-not-classified/Former aides to previous presidents confirmed to the outlet that the president’s power to declassify was “absolute,” recalling instances where their bosses had declassified information on-the-spot without any prior notice.
The outlet noted that in 2009, anexecutive orderissued by Barack Obama outlined a “uniform system” for the classification and declassification of national security information, designating original classification authority only to the president and vice president, agency heads, and officials designated by the president, and U.S. government officials who have been given the authority by the aforementioned individuals.
As it relates to declassification, the order further specifies that information originated by the president, vice president, their staff, and “committees, commissions, or boards appointed by the incumbent President; or other entities within the Executive Office of the President that solely advise and assist the incumbent President” is exempt from mandatory declassification review.
