President Joseph Biden signed the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) into law on December 27, 2021. Section 1685 of the NDAA includes a requirement that the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) conduct “a study on the feasibility of carrying out a declassification review relating to nuclear weapons, chemical weapons, or ballistic missile … Continue reading FY2022 NDAA Mandates Feasibility Study of Declassification Review for Marshall Islands Weapons Tests
PIDB Posts Agenda from Executive Session Teleconference Held on December 20, 2021
On December 20, 2021, the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) met in executive session by video teleconference. PIDB Chair Ezra Cohen led the virtual meeting, which was attended by PIDB members Paul-Noel Chretien, Laura DeBonis, Trey Gowdy, Michael Lawrence, Ben Powell, Alissa Starzak, and John Tierney. The PIDB members met with representatives from civil society … Continue reading PIDB Posts Agenda from Executive Session Teleconference Held on December 20, 2021
JFK Assassination Records Release, December 15, 2021
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) on December 15, 2021, released 1,491 documents from the President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection and posted them online. These documents were previously released in redacted form. This release was required by President Biden’s October 22, 2021 memorandum to agencies on the public disclosure of records in … Continue reading JFK Assassination Records Release, December 15, 2021
President Joseph R. Biden Appoints Laura A. DeBonis to the PIDB
On November 30, 2021, President Joseph R. Biden appointed Laura A. DeBonis to a three-year term as a member of the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB). The PIDB members and staff welcome back Ms. DeBonis and look forward to working with her in continuing efforts to modernize the classification and declassification system to meet 21st Century … Continue reading President Joseph R. Biden Appoints Laura A. DeBonis to the PIDB
PIDB Posts Agenda from Executive Session Teleconference Held on December 8, 2021
On December 8, 2021, the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) met in executive session by video teleconference. PIDB Chair Ezra Cohen led the virtual meeting, which was attended by PIDB members Paul-Noel Chretien, Trey Gowdy, John Tierney, Michael Lawrence, Ben Powell and Alissa Starzak. At the meeting, the PIDB members discussed work options for 2022, … Continue reading PIDB Posts Agenda from Executive Session Teleconference Held on December 8, 2021
PIDB Posts Agendas from Meetings at NGA and ODNI
On November 3, 2021, PIDB members attended classified briefings presented by officials at the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA), and on November 4, 2021, at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI). PIDB Chair Ezra Cohen led the meetings, which were attended at the NGA by PIDB Vice Chair Alissa Starzak, Paul-Noel Chretien, … Continue reading PIDB Posts Agendas from Meetings at NGA and ODNI
President Biden Issues Memorandum on the Public Release of Withheld JFK Assassination Records, Sets New Disclosure Deadline
On October 22, 2021, President Biden issued a memorandum that sets new deadlines for the public disclosure of about 14,000 records that remain classified in the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection (JFK Records) at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). Originally scheduled for release on October 25, 2017, then-President Trump certified agency requests … Continue reading President Biden Issues Memorandum on the Public Release of Withheld JFK Assassination Records, Sets New Disclosure Deadline
PIDB Posts Agenda from Executive Session Teleconference Held on October 26, 2021
On October 26, 2021, the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) met in executive session by video teleconference. PIDB Chair Ezra Cohen led the virtual meeting, which was attended by PIDB members Alissa Starzak, Paul-Noel Chretien, Ben Powell, and John Tierney. At the meeting, the PIDB members received an update on NARA’s reopening status, planned for … Continue reading PIDB Posts Agenda from Executive Session Teleconference Held on October 26, 2021
PIDB Posts Agenda from Executive Session Teleconference Held on September 23, 2021
The Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) met in executive session by video teleconference on Tuesday, September 23, 2021. PIDB Chair Ezra Cohen led the virtual meeting, which was attended by members Paul Noel Chretien, Trey Gowdy, Michael Lawrence, Ben Powell, Alissa Starzak, and John Tierney. At the meeting, the PIDB members received a briefing on … Continue reading PIDB Posts Agenda from Executive Session Teleconference Held on September 23, 2021
Press Coverage of PIDB Efforts to Reduce Over-Classification, Increase Government Transparency
Two news reports published last week highlighted last year’s recommendations as well as ongoing activities of the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) to promote the modernization of classification and declassification systems. Both reports cited the PIDB’s continuing advocacy for new policies and processes to reduce over-classification. (The PIDB’s 2020 Report to the President recommended policies … Continue reading Press Coverage of PIDB Efforts to Reduce Over-Classification, Increase Government Transparency