Hostile takeover at National Archives erodes our right to know
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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.
Plus: Why Senate must not confirm Ed Martin
Plus: Two upcoming secrecy fights and how to prepare for them
Plus: Don’t be mad DOGE posted classified budget information. Intelligence agencies’ budgets should be public
Detaining migrants at Guantánamo Bay helps the government shut out journalists and control the public narrative.
Plus: Why the Federal Aviation Administration’s safety reports should be public
Plus: Hypocrisy as deep as the Gulf of Mexico
Groups protest unwarranted firing of head archivist
The Utah legislature is retaliating against one journalist and kicking all independent reporters out of the statehouse in the process, a new lawsuit claims
Trump and Musk are trying to use the Presidential Records Act’s giant loopholes to hide DOGE’s records
How DOGE handles agency records will show its commitment to (or disavowal of) government transparency rules, with implications for every federal office it accesses