Reform Government Secrecy

A pile of classified redacted documents

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.

Fight boat strike secrecy

Demand transparency around lethal targeting of alleged drug boats.

  1. 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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    Thank you for asking Congress to read the boat strike memo into the Congressional Record.

    Share this message on social media: The public deserves to scrutinize the legal rationale behind the deadly attacks on alleged drug boats, but the administration is keeping the memo secret.

    Congress can change that today.

    Use our action center tool to tell Congress to read the memo into the Congressional Record.

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    Here Are The Secret Details Gitmo Warden Claimed Could Be Used By Al-Qaeda to Attack Prison

    SecrecyArticle

    <!--//--><![CDATA[// ><!-- DV.load("//www.documentcloud.org/documents/801592-col-bogdans-unsealed-guantanamo-declaration-in.js", { width: 600, height: 600, sidebar: false, text: false, pdf: false, container: "#DV-viewer-801592-col-bogdans-unsealed-guantanamo-declaration-in" }); //--><!]]> Score one for transparency.  A federal court judge on Thursday—in response to a motion I filed in July—unsealed Guantanamo warden Col. John Bogdan’s six-page sworn declaration pertaining to a genital search policy …

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    NSA Claims No Audio, Transcripts or Notes From Official's Interview With Gellman, But Assertion Appears to Be Untrue

    FOIAArticle

    <!--//--><![CDATA[// ><!-- DV.load("//www.documentcloud.org/documents/797986-nsa-response-to-leopold-foia-for-interview-audio.js", { width: 600, height: 600, sidebar: false, text: false, pdf: false, container: "#DV-viewer-797986-nsa-response-to-leopold-foia-for-interview-audio" }); //--><!]]> Last month, Barton Gellman published an explosive story in the Washington Post about the NSA's widespread privacy violations, based on documents he obtained from whistleblower Edward Snowden.  Gellman also wrote a companion …

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    DHS Dumps 1,400 Pages of Heavily Redacted Records Related to Agency's Role in Drafting 2012 Counterterrorism Guidelines

    SurveillanceArticle

    The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) just released 1,400 pages of emails and other internal records concerning the agency’s role in advising the Department of Justice and Office of Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) on changes made to the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) guidelines used to collect and retain data …

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    Journalist Files FOIA Lawsuit Against Justice Dept For Copy of Senate's CIA Torture Report

    FOIAArticle

    <!--//--><![CDATA[// ><!-- DV.load("//www.documentcloud.org/documents/782493-leopold-foia-lawsuit-against-justice-department.js", { width: 600, height: 600, sidebar: false, text: false, pdf: false, container: "#DV-viewer-782493-leopold-foia-lawsuit-against-justice-department" }); //--><!]]> Late Monday evening, I filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit against the Department of Justice to obtain a copy of the executive summary of the Senate Intelligence Committee’s report on …

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    Here's What the White House's "Secret" Plan to Close Guantanamo Looks Like

    SecrecyArticle

    <!--//--><![CDATA[// ><!-- DV.load("//www.documentcloud.org/documents/777815-white-house-plan-to-close-guantanamo.js", { width: 600, height: 600, sidebar: false, text: false, pdf: false, container: "#DV-viewer-777815-white-house-plan-to-close-guantanamo" }); //--><!]]> Last month, hours before a Senate subcommittee held a hearing on shuttering the Guantanamo Bay detention facility, the White House circulated a two-page document to Congress that contained the administration's plans for …

GETTY IMAGES/Alex Kent

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