Government secrecy issues to watch during Trump’s presidency
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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Hostile takeover at National Archives erodes our right to know
Five questions the public should ask about the Archives
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Trump hides migrant detention away at Gitmo
Detaining migrants at Guantánamo Bay helps the government shut out journalists and control the public narrative.
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Journalists: Post public records without paywalls
News outlets can help preserve the public domain, and maybe even gain some subscribers
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New declassification task force may be more bark than bite
Plus: Why the Federal Aviation Administration’s safety reports should be public
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First Amendment law legend: ‘Fight back’
Plus: Hypocrisy as deep as the Gulf of Mexico
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National Archives — and government transparency — under threat
Groups protest unwarranted firing of head archivist
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Here’s how you can help save government data
Plus: Why should the public have to wait until 2034 to file FOIA requests with DOGE?
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Let all journalists cover Utah statehouse
The Utah legislature is retaliating against one journalist and kicking all independent reporters out of the statehouse in the process, a new lawsuit claims
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Reform the Presidential Records Act — or risk losing DOGE records
Trump and Musk are trying to use the Presidential Records Act’s giant loopholes to hide DOGE’s records
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USAID’s future is in doubt. The status of its records shouldn’t be
How DOGE handles agency records will show its commitment to (or disavowal of) government transparency rules, with implications for every federal office it accesses
