Reform Government Secrecy

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.

Write a letter telling Congress to read DOJ memo into public record

The public deserves to scrutinize the legal rationale behind the deadly attacks on alleged drug boats, but the administration is keeping the Department of Justice memo secret. Congress can change that — but it needs to hear from you to act.

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Edit this message so that it is unique to you: Dear Senator/Representative, As your constituent, I am deeply troubled by the lethal targeting of alleged drug boats, including strikes on defenseless survivors. This concern is exacerbated by the fact that the Trump administration has kept the legal rationale for these deadly attacks secret. You have the power to force transparency. I am asking that you PLEASE READ the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel memo justifying these strikes INTO THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD. By following in the historic footsteps of Sen. Mike Gravel, who read the Pentagon Papers into the Congressional Record in 1971, you would help the public scrutinize the legality and necessity of the strikes. There’s no excuse not to. Members of Congress enjoy broad immunity to expose government lies, thanks to the speech or debate clause of the Constitution. And the document’s classified status shouldn’t be a barrier, as records that are properly classified can still be declassified if their release is in the public interest. The legal rationale for killing nearly a hundred people without due process meets that definition. The public deserves to know how the government is sanctioning these strikes. Now is the time for you to read the memo into the public record. Thank you.

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