Nixon sneering

Re “Still kicking Nixon around,” editorial, Dec. 6

As an archivist, I once faced fire from Richard Nixon’s lawyers, and I fired right back. Yet even I am troubled by sneers at the Nixon foundation.

Starting with the first one in 1941, all presidential libraries, not just Nixon’s, have had federal and private-sector components. Government archivists work with presidents and their families to open records. Archivists also work on exhibits funded in part by presidential foundations. Time usually smooths the rocky path the partners sometimes navigate initially.

The federal Nixon Library opened in 2007, but tough battles about Nixon’s records actually lessened over time after he died in 1994. I have no problems with what federal archivists and Nixon’s estate (through his foundation) have released about Watergate and other issues since 1996.

However, given the library’s unique situation, the public needs greater procedural transparency from the National Archives and the foundation -- as well as more thoughtful reporting.

Maarja Krusten

Arlington, Va.

The writer is a former Nixon tapes archivist with the National Archives.