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A pile of classified redacted documents

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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.

Tell Congress to support the Presidential Records Act

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Edit this message so that it is unique to you: Dear [Senator/Representative], As your constituent, I am writing to urge you to ISSUE A STATEMENT explicitly reaffirming that the Presidential Records Act is constitutional and that any claims to the contrary are not lawful and threaten our democracy. This is necessary in response to the Department of Justice’s recent memo claiming the PRA is unconstitutional, arguing that a president’s records are private property. This is wrong and flips 50 years of transparency on its head. The law has required every president since Ronald Reagan to turn their records over to the government at the end of their term. This ensures that the “American story” belongs to the public, not just those who inhabit the White House. This transparency provided vital insights into Democratic and Republican administrations alike, on topics ranging from the Obama administration’s Iran nuclear deal and the George W. Bush administration’s response to Hurricane Katrina. If this DOJ memo stands, every future president, Democrat or Republican, will operate in total darkness. This is a bipartisan emergency. I am asking you to PLEASE SPEAK OUT and use your influence to safeguard the PRA. Your efforts to ensure our government remains transparent will have major implications for the public’s faith in our democracy. Thank you. URLs are not allowed in this message.

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Join me in urging Congress to defend the Presidential Records Act, thus ensuring that the American story belongs to the public — not whoever is in the White House.

Featured Items

Revisiting the undercover Alito recording, post-Trump v. United States
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The secret taping, condemned by journalistic ethicists, is actually a prime example of when surreptitious reporting is justified

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Laws limiting public records access make it harder for journalists to hold executive branch officials accountable

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Biden administration has no reason to withhold Congressional report on how foreign recipients of U.S. military assistance comply with human rights law

Published May 7, 2024 Freedom of the Press Foundation
NJ court to journalist on publication of official’s address: Do you feel lucky, punk?
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Decision empowers state officials to try to stop reporting they dislike

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State lawmakers shut the shades during Sunshine Week
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During a week celebrating government openness, three states — New Jersey, Colorado, and California — considered or enacted anti-transparency laws

Published March 21, 2024 Caitlin Vogus
‘Classified information’ isn’t a magic formula to suspend the First Amendment
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The Supreme Court seems to understand the First Amendment limits on government coercion of speech — except when it comes to national security

Published March 19, 2024 Caitlin Vogus
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Published March 5, 2024 Seth Stern
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Mississippi shouldn’t copy other states by banning journalists from the Senate floor

Published Jan. 26, 2024 Caitlin Vogus
Government gag rules muzzle journalists’ sources
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Policies prohibiting government employees from speaking to the press violate the First Amendment

Published Jan. 16, 2024 Caitlin Vogus