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The White House nomination of Allen Weinstein, a historian of Soviet espionage, as archivist of the United States has caused a storm of protest in the normally quiet world of archivists and historians. Nineteen organizations, including the Society of American Archivists and the Organization of American Historians, have issued a joint statement expressing concern and calling on the Senate, which must confirm the nomination, to hold hearings to find out why the current archivist is being replaced and whether Weinstein is qualified. That call was heeded; hearings will be held "in the coming weeks," according to a Senate spokesperson. The groups' first concern is that the nomination appears to be a political move, while the position of archivist was supposed to have been depoliticized. There was no need to replace the present archivist, John Carlin, a Clinton appointee. Why, then, has the White House nominated a new archivist? Many speculate that George W. Bush, as well as his father, thinks the younger Bush may lose the election, and they want their man in control of their archives before that happens. Whatever Bush's motives may be, Weinstein, who declined a request for an interview, is considered by many archivists and historians to be unqualified on ethical grounds. They point to his buying exclusive access to restricted archives and his withholding of archival materials from other scholars, which appear to violate the ethical standards of the archivists' and historians' organizations. Another issue relevant to Weinstein's nomination concerns the sources of funding for his Center for Democracy.

The article profiles Allen Weinstein, a national archivist, historian, educator and writer. Several of his published works include "Perjury: The Hiss-Chambers Case" and "The Haunted Wood: Soviet Espionage in America: The Stalin Era". The article provides an overview of his family and educational background. His organizational affiliations include the National Endowment for Democracy and the Center for the Study of Democracy.

Reports that U.S. President George W. Bush has appointed historian Allen Weinstein on April 8, 2004 as the Archivist of the United States. Senior adviser at the International Foundation for Election Systems in Washington, DC; Former president of the controversial Center for Democracy; Violation of the Congressionally sanctioned requirement that selection of a nominee should be preceded by consultations with recognized organizations of professional archivists and historians.

Reports that the Organization of American Historians (OAH) has joined with the Society of American Archivists, the American Historical Association, the National Humanities Alliance, and nearly two dozen other groups, in issuing a statement against the nomination of Allen Weinstein as Archivist of the United States. Call on the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs to schedule open hearings on this nomination; Need to explore the reasons why the Archivist is being replace, and Weinstein's qualifications.