The Trump secrecy assessment
The U.S. classifies far too many secrets, obstructing democracy.
Excessive government secrecy takes many forms, from agencies needlessly claiming documents are classified to ignoring information requests and destroying records — even when the documents show government fraud or illegal conduct. This hinders a free press, effective oversight, and the public’s ability to self govern.
We need to fight for systemic improvements, and we need the press to vigorously question the government every time it says something is classified.
Featured Items
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Gitmo, background checks, and drones: a busy week in secrecy news
Plus: U.S. government declassifies 1960 report stating Israeli nuclear site was for weapons
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Government should declassify drone intelligence
Excessive secrecy over the mysterious sightings frustrates lawmakers and the public, and breeds mistrust at a time when trust in government is in decline
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Trump’s presidential library could be a scam
Many report ABC’s settlement money will pay for a Trump presidential library. Don’t be so sure
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National security claims hide information from families separated at border
Plus: how you can help preserve federal data at risk of behind deleted
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US should declassify what it knows about deadly Colombian Supreme Court attack
Declassification diplomacy is one of US government’s most distinctive foreign policy tools, and it should be deployed as often as possible
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Classification is broken; Biden still has a chance to fix it
An executive order, even issued at the eleventh hour, would do a lot of good
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Congress’s declassification work shouldn’t end with JFK
Today is the anniversary of the JFK assassination. Congress passed a landmark law over 30 years to release millions of pages of assassination records, even though it doesn’t normally get involved in declassification efforts.
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Congress took the lead on JFK declassification. That should happen more often
It’s the anniversary of JFK’s assassination, and the law that released millions of pages of assassination records is over 30 years old. It's time for Congress to resume high-level declassification reviews
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The government abuses spying powers no matter who the president is
An effort by social platform X to weaken the government’s ability to spy on citizens and hide the fact it does so should have broad bipartisan support
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Trump’s reelection puts us in uncharted territory over secrecy. Now what?
Steps President Biden, press, public, and members of Congress must take to fight secrecy abuses to come
