A conference on “America’s Secrets: Classified Information and Our Democracy,” to be held at the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library (LBJ Library), January 26-27, in Austin, Texas, is being co-sponsored by the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB), the LBJ Library, the Strauss Center, the Clements Center, the Intelligence Studies Project, and the Texas LBJ School … Continue reading PIDB Co-sponsors Conference on “America’s Secrets: Classified Information and Our Democracy,” January 26-27, at the LBJ Library in Austin, Texas – to Attend In Person, Register Now!
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PIDB Sets In-Person Public Meeting for January 26, 4:00-5:30 p.m., at the LBJ Presidential Library in Austin, Texas – Register Now!
On Thursday, January 26, 2023, from 4:00-5:30 p.m., the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) will conduct its first public meeting of 2023 at the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library and Museum in Austin, Texas (the LBJ Library). At the meeting, PIDB members will discuss the critical need for modernization of the federal system for classification … Continue reading PIDB Sets In-Person Public Meeting for January 26, 4:00-5:30 p.m., at the LBJ Presidential Library in Austin, Texas – Register Now!
PIDB Submits Letter to President Biden in Support of Transparency Plans in Public Release of JFK Assassination Records
Today, the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) submitted a letter to President Biden supporting the public release of records on December 15, 2022, by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), as consistent with the PIDB’s previous letter to the President of September 27, 2021, which recommended that the President limit any further certifications for … Continue reading PIDB Submits Letter to President Biden in Support of Transparency Plans in Public Release of JFK Assassination Records
PIDB Plans In-Person Public Meeting and Conference, January 26-27, 2023, at the LBJ Library
The Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) plans to hold an in-person public meeting on January 26, 2023, at the Lyndon B. Johnson Library and Museum (LBJ Presidential Library) in Austin, Texas, at 4 p.m. CT. Following the in-person public meeting, Avril Haines, Director of National Intelligence, will give a keynote address opening the public conference … Continue reading PIDB Plans In-Person Public Meeting and Conference, January 26-27, 2023, at the LBJ Library
NARA Releases More JFK Records, as President Biden Approves Few Delays
On December 15, 2022, pursuant to the latest White House memorandum on the disclosure of records related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) released 13,173 records previously withheld by the federal government. These newly disclosed records are available online in NARA’s JFK Assassination Records Collection, which … Continue reading NARA Releases More JFK Records, as President Biden Approves Few Delays
Reforming the Classification System: Challenges, Approaches, and Priorities
On December 6, 2022 the Hudson Institute hosted an event, co-sponsored by the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB), the American Bar Association, and the Federalist Society, on “Reforming the Classification System: Challenges, Approaches, and Priorities.” The event opened with PIDB’s chair Ezra Cohen and vice chair Alissa Starzak introducing the topic and providing the board’s … Continue reading Reforming the Classification System: Challenges, Approaches, and Priorities
“Reforming the Classification System: Challenges, Approaches, and Priorities” – ABA and Federalist Society Co-Sponsor Event including PIDB Members at Hudson Institute, December 6 from 9:00-11:00 AM
On Tuesday, December 6, from 9:00-11:00 a.m., a discussion by Ezra Cohen and Alissa Starzak, chair and vice chair of the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB), will open an in-person event on “Reforming the Classification System: Challenges, Approaches, and Priorities,” hosted by the Hudson Institute at 1201 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W. Following the opening by Mr. … Continue reading “Reforming the Classification System: Challenges, Approaches, and Priorities” – ABA and Federalist Society Co-Sponsor Event including PIDB Members at Hudson Institute, December 6 from 9:00-11:00 AM
Interviews with the PIDB: Paul-Noel Chretien
After a career working at the Department of Justice and the CIA, Paul-Noel Chretien is currently a management analyst at Leidos. Mr. Chretien identifies two major challenges the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) faces: over-classification and insufficient resources in executive branch agencies for review and release programs. He notes that there are few incentives for … Continue reading Interviews with the PIDB: Paul-Noel Chretien
Interviews with the PIDB: Ben Powell
Ben Powell is currently a partner at WilmerHale, and is the co-chair of the cybersecurity and privacy practice. Mr. Powell highlighted two challenges the government confronts in improving the declassification process: prioritization and resources. First, immediate national security issues often take priority over declassification issues. The government is dealing with geopolitical issues and national security … Continue reading Interviews with the PIDB: Ben Powell
Interviews with the PIDB: Michael Lawrence
Prior to his appointment to the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB), Michael Lawrence held senior executive leadership positions in the Intelligence Community (IC) throughout his career of 20+ years. Mr. Lawrence would like to see the PIDB focus on three areas. First, he would like the PIDB to expand its focus to include a greater … Continue reading Interviews with the PIDB: Michael Lawrence