On January 11, 2021, President Donald Trump appointed Ezra Cohen to a three-year term as a member of the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB), including a two-year term as its Chair. The PIDB members and staff welcome Mr. Cohen and look forward to working with him in continuing efforts to modernize the classification and declassification … Continue reading President Trump Appoints Ezra Cohen as Chair and Member of the Public Interest Declassification Board
New DNI Avril Haines Discusses Overclassification at Senate Confirmation Hearing
On Wednesday, January 20, 2021, Avril Haines was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in an 84-10 vote, to serve as the Director of National Intelligence (DNI). On Tuesday, as President Biden's nominee to serve as the DNI, Ms. Haines discussed the challenges of overclassification at a public confirmation hearing of the Senate Select Committee on … Continue reading New DNI Avril Haines Discusses Overclassification at Senate Confirmation Hearing
President Donald Trump Appoints Paul-Noel Chretien and Adam Telle to the PIDB
On December 30, 2020, President Donald Trump appointed Paul-Noel Chretien and Adam Telle to three-year terms as members of the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB). The PIDB members and staff welcome Mr. Chretien and Mr. Telle and look forward to working with them in continuing efforts to modernize the classification and declassification system to meet … Continue reading President Donald Trump Appoints Paul-Noel Chretien and Adam Telle to the PIDB
PIDB Posts Agenda from Executive Session Teleconference
On Wednesday, December 9, 2020, the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB) met in executive session. Acting Chair Alissa Starzak, and members Trey Gowdy, Michael Lawrence, and Ben Powell attended the virtual meeting. They discussed areas of interest and a proposed schedule for 2021, including hosting four public meetings. The members anticipate that all meetings, once … Continue reading PIDB Posts Agenda from Executive Session Teleconference
PIDB Wants You to Shape Classification, Declassification and Information Security Reform
When President-Elect Joe Biden takes office at noon on January 20, 2021, Executive Order 13526 (E.O.) will be over 10 years old. The E.O. “prescribes a uniform system for classifying, safeguarding, and declassifying national security information, including information relating to defense against transnational terrorism”— but a lot has changed over the past decade. Transnational terrorism … Continue reading PIDB Wants You to Shape Classification, Declassification and Information Security Reform
Four Archivist and Records Management Organizations Embrace Calls for Improving Declassification by PIDB
Recommendations on Federal Archives and Records Management Issues, a report submitted last Tuesday (December 1, 2020) to President-Elect Joe Biden by four leading professional organizations of archivists and records managers records managers, cite the call for Government-wide declassification reform presented in the 2020 report to the President of the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB). The … Continue reading Four Archivist and Records Management Organizations Embrace Calls for Improving Declassification by PIDB
Gen. Hyten Finds Over-classification of Space Information Undermines National Security, Promises Reform
Speaking at the Schriever Space Futures Forum on November 20, 2020, Gen. John Hyten, Vice Chairman of the Joint Staff, argued that the over-classification of space information by the Department of Defense (DOD) delays the appropriate information sharing required to partner with U.S. allies and industry, and to deter adversaries in space. At the recent … Continue reading Gen. Hyten Finds Over-classification of Space Information Undermines National Security, Promises Reform
PIDB Posts Responses to Questionnaire from the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence
After PIDB Member John Tierney testified before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence in an open hearing on September 9, 2020, Acting Chairman Marco Rubio and Vice Chairman Mark Warner sent the PIDB a list of questions regarding its Report to the President, A Vision for the Digital Age: Modernization of the U.S. Security Classification … Continue reading PIDB Posts Responses to Questionnaire from the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence
President Donald Trump Appoints Michael G. Lawrence and Benjamin A. Powell to the PIDB
On October 9, 2020, President Donald Trump appointed Michael G. Lawrence and Benjamin A. Powell to three-year terms as members of the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB). The PIDB members and staff welcome Mr. Lawrence and Mr. Powell, and look forward to working with them in continuing efforts to modernize the classification and declassification system … Continue reading President Donald Trump Appoints Michael G. Lawrence and Benjamin A. Powell to the PIDB
PIDB Virtual Public Meeting Video Now on NARA’s YouTube Channel
A video of the Virtual Public Meeting held on October 7, 2020, by the Public Interest Declassification Board (PIDB), is now available on the National Archives and Records Administration’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeeuyLn4kXA&feature=youtu.be. The video features participation by the Archivist of the United States David S. Ferriero, and a discussion between Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and … Continue reading PIDB Virtual Public Meeting Video Now on NARA’s YouTube Channel