Immediate Declassification of Materials Related to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Crossfire Hurricane Investigation
President Donald J. Trump issued a memorandum directing the immediate declassification of materials related to the FBI's Crossfire Hurricane investigation.
The memorandum exempted materials protected under Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court orders and those containing personally identifiable information or otherwise protected by law.
The Attorney General was tasked with making the declassified materials publicly available.
Arguments For
Transparency and Accountability: The declassification aimed to increase transparency surrounding the Crossfire Hurricane investigation and hold government agencies accountable for their actions. Evidence cited may include the belief that the investigation was politically motivated. The implementation method involved a presidential memorandum directly ordering declassification. The legal basis could be interpreted as the President's inherent authority to declassify information.
Public Interest: Arguments for declassification might focus on the public's right to know about the investigation into potential foreign interference in the 2016 election. Intended benefits would involve greater public trust or confidence in government operations after revealing details.
Oversight of Intelligence Agencies: Declassification could be viewed as a means of independent oversight over intelligence agencies, ensuring their activities are consistent with the law and ethical standards. This might draw on a historical basis of Executive oversight of national intelligence. The implementation involved direct presidential orders.
Arguments Against
National Security Risks: Opponents might argue that declassifying information could compromise national security by revealing intelligence sources, methods, or sensitive information impacting ongoing or future investigations. Potential negative impacts could damage national security relations with foreign allies or compromise clandestine operations.
Privacy Concerns: The release of information might jeopardize the privacy of individuals involved in the investigation, violating laws protecting sensitive personal information. Implementation challenges would involve redacting material to protect privacy which could be time-consuming and difficult.
Political Motivation: Critics could claim that the declassification decision was politically motivated, intended to benefit the President or his allies, rather than serve the public interest. Alternative approaches could involve internal reviews or Congressional oversight. Unintended effects could include undermining investigations into future threats.
Undermining Investigations: The release of information could potentially disrupt or compromise ongoing investigations, hindering law enforcement efforts.
MEMORANDUM FOR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE
THE DIRECTOR OF THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
SUBJECT: Immediate Declassification of Materials Related to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Crossfire Hurricane Investigation
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby direct the following:
Except as provided below, I have determined that all of the materials referenced in the Presidential Memorandum of January 19, 2021 (Declassification of Certain Materials Related to the FBI’s Crossfire Hurricane Investigation), are no longer classified.
I have further determined that the material proposed for redaction by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in a cover letter dated January 17, 2021, remains classified.
My decision to declassify the materials described above does not extend to materials that must be protected from disclosure pursuant to orders of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court and does not require the disclosure of certain personally identifiable information or any other materials that must be protected from disclosure under applicable law.
Subject to the exceptions identified above, the Attorney General shall make declassified materials described in this memorandum available to the public immediately.
This Presidential Memorandum orders the declassification of materials related to the FBI’s Crossfire Hurricane investigation.
It directs the Attorney General, Director of National Intelligence, and the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency on the matter.
The memorandum specifies that all materials referenced in a previous memorandum from January 19, 2021, will be declassified, except for materials protected under court orders or those containing protected information.
The Attorney General is instructed to immediately release the declassified material to the public.
DONALD J. TRUMP
This is the signature of President Donald J. Trump, signifying his authorization of the memorandum.
This is a standard White House website footer indicating the source and publication date of the document.