Author: Rachel Legow

On January 27, 2023, the PIDB held a conference on “America’s Secrets: Classified Information and Our Democracy” at the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library and Museum (The LBJ Library), in Austin, Texas. The conference was co-sponsored by the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB), along with The Clements Center for National Security, Strauss Center for International … Continue reading Panels Discussed Wide Range of Issues at “America’s Secrets” Conference Co-Sponsored by the PIDB at The LBJ Library, in Austin, Texas

On January 27, 2023, Senator John Cornyn gave the keynote address on “Declassification, Transparency, and the Importance of Section 702” at the conference on “America’s Secrets: Classified Information and Our Democracy” at the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library and Museum (The LBJ Library), in Austin, Texas. The conference was co-sponsored by the Public Interest Declassification … Continue reading Senator Cornyn Presented Keynote on Declassification and Transparency at Conference Co-Sponsored by PIDB at The LBJ Library in Austin, Texas

On January 26, 2023, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines gave the keynote address launching the conference on “America’s Secrets: Classified Information and Our Democracy” at the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library and Museum (The LBJ Library), in Austin, Texas. The conference was co-sponsored by the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB), with The Clements Center … Continue reading DNI Haines Promotes Transparency at Conference Co-Sponsored by the PIDB at the LBJ Library

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

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

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