USA TODAY International Edition
Can the president declassify documents?
Authority depends on sensitivity of information
Classified information is material – documents, photographs, videos, recordings or other items – that the government says must be restricted for the security and defense of the nation.
The information is created or received by a federal government agency or contractor. Once information is classified, it is protected until it is formally declassified.
While the president in office has access to any classified material, the U. S. government breaks down classified information into three categories, based on the amount of damage that would be caused by its release.
The three levels of classified material, and impact of releasing it, are: top- secret, secret and confidential.
What type of information is classified?
The National Archives lists these classification categories:
● Military plans, weapons systems, or operations
● Foreign government information
● Intelligence activities, including special activities, intelligence sources or methods, or cryptology
● Foreign relations or foreign activities of the U. S., including confidential sources
● Scientific, technological, or economic matters relating to the national security, which includes defense against transnational terrorism
● U. S. government programs for safeguarding nuclear materials or facilities
● Vulnerabilities or capabilities of systems, installations, infrastructures, projects, plans, or protection services relating to the national security, which includes defense against transnational terrorism
● Weapons of mass destruction
How are classified documents handled?
U. S. government employees and contractors who handle or who may see classified material must have security clearances. It’s estimated that tens of thousands of employees have them.
Clearances are granted after thorough background checks, with extensive reviews needed for those with highly classified material. Nondisclosure agreements are often required.
Classified material is usually stored in a safe or similar container when not being used. Security rules govern the movement of material.
Safe storage areas include SCIFs, which are Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities. SCIFs can be “an accredited area, room, group of rooms, or installation” where classified material is stored or accessed, according to the General Services Administration. Access is tightly controlled.
How long can information be classified?
Obama’s executive order governing classified material says no information can remain classified indefinitely. Most records – even sensitive compartmented information – are subject to automatic declassification 25 years after being classified.
However, records can be exempted from automatic declassification, if officials can demonstrate their release would compromise national security.
Who can declassify information?
The president can classify and declassify material, but there are procedures to follow. Documents need to be identified; a written order, usually drafted by White House counsel, is required; and classification markings need to be removed.
Heads of agencies connected to the material are usually consulted and can advocate to keep the data classified. The president makes the final decision.
CBS News cited U. S. officials familiar with the classification process who said that documents are not officially declassified until the relevant agency stamps them as “declassified.”
SOURCE USA TODAY Network reporting and research; Associated Press; National Archive; U. S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence; Brennan Center for Justice; University of Southern California Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences; Department of Commerce