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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Excessive government secrecy and the presidential election
This multipart series assesses the secrecy risks of both presidential candidates, the systemic problems that will challenge either presidential administration, and the ways the public can most effectively fight for transparency.
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Heritage Foundation sends lots of FOIAs. That shouldn’t be a problem
A records request can be legitimate even if its goal is unpopular
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Time for Biden to declassify Khashoggi intelligence
Reports on the journalist’s murder are still secret. Their release would place democratic principles over a relationship with an authoritarian ruler
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President Carter is 100. The CIA still keeps his Camp David records secret
A fitting birthday present for President Carter would be the full declassifying of the CIA’s records on the 1978 Camp David Accords
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Prepublication review can’t improve while overclassification surges
It’s too hard for former officials to write about their work. A new directive tries to help, but it won’t solve the real problem: The government thinks too many things are secret
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Government hides its best hurricane predictions
It’s hurricane season, but the government is placing ‘trade secrets’ above public safety
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Declassify RT records so the public can vet administration's claims
Letting the public see the actual documents would strengthen Biden administration's declassification efforts
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FPF talks government secrecy and national security reporting
Interview with first Ellsberg Chair Lauren Harper highlights overclassification, whistleblowers, and national security reporting
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Biden should declassify Senate report on CIA torture program
Release would help counter growing evidence that the agency has become too powerful for oversight
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NY law will needlessly delay release of public records
Requirement to notify government employees when their disciplinary records are requested is about secrecy, not privacy
