HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_026248.jpg
2 MB
Extraction Summary
5
People
9
Organizations
3
Locations
3
Events
1
Relationships
3
Quotes
Document Information
Type:
Official letter
File Size:
2 MB
Summary
This document is a letter from the White House to Chairman Devin Nunes, dated February 2, 2018, concerning the House Intelligence Committee's vote to release a classified memorandum (known as the 'Nunes Memo'). The letter affirms the President's constitutional authority over declassification and states that the Committee's action is being interpreted as a formal request for the President to declassify the memo. This document is related to disputes over FISA surveillance during the 2016 election and is not related to Jeffrey Epstein, his associates, or any of his known activities.
People (5)
| Name | Role | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Devin Nunes | Chairman, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence |
Recipient of the letter from the White House.
|
| The President | President of the United States |
Mentioned as having the constitutional authority to declassify information. The letter is sent on his behalf. The sit...
|
| Barack Obama | Former President of the United States |
Mentioned in a footnote as an example of a past declassification process during his administration.
|
| George W. Bush | Former President of the United States |
Mentioned in a footnote as an example of a past declassification process during his administration.
|
| George H. W. Bush | Former President of the United States |
Mentioned in a footnote as an example of a past declassification process during his administration.
|
Timeline (3 events)
2014-04-03
A past event cited in a footnote where a Committee agreed to send a study to President Obama for declassification and public release.
Unnamed Committee
Barack Obama
2018-01-29
The House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence voted to publicly disclose a classified memorandum.
United States Capitol
2018-02-02
The White House sent a letter to Chairman Devin Nunes interpreting the committee's vote as a formal request for declassification under the President's authority.
Washington, DC
Locations (3)
| Location | Context |
|---|---|
|
Washington, DC 20515
|
Address of the United States Capitol, where the recipient, Devin Nunes, is based.
|
|
Location of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
|
|
|
The country where these government branches operate.
|
Relationships (1)
The White House (Executive Branch)
→
Formal Correspondence
→
Devin Nunes (Legislative Branch)
This letter was sent from the White House to Chairman Devin Nunes regarding the declassification of a congressional memorandum.
Key Quotes (3)
"On January 29, 2018, the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence... voted to disclose publicly a memorandum containing classified information..."Source
HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_026248.jpg
Quote #1
"The Constitution vests the President with the authority to protect national security secrets from disclosure."Source
HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_026248.jpg
Quote #2
"Accordingly, the Committee’s request to release the Memorandum is interpreted as a request for declassification pursuant to the President’s authority."Source
HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_026248.jpg
Quote #3
Full Extracted Text
Complete text extracted from the document (2,807 characters)
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
WASHINGTON
February 2, 2018
The Honorable Devin Nunes
Chairman, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
United States Capitol
Washington, DC 20515
Chairman, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
United States Capitol
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Mr. Chairman:
On January 29, 2018, the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (hereinafter “the
Committee”) voted to disclose publicly a memorandum containing classified information
provided to the Committee in connection with its oversight activities (the “Memorandum,”
which is attached to this letter). As provided by clause 11(g) of Rule X of the House of
Representatives, the Committee has forwarded this Memorandum to the President based on its
determination that the release of the Memorandum would serve the public interest.
Committee”) voted to disclose publicly a memorandum containing classified information
provided to the Committee in connection with its oversight activities (the “Memorandum,”
which is attached to this letter). As provided by clause 11(g) of Rule X of the House of
Representatives, the Committee has forwarded this Memorandum to the President based on its
determination that the release of the Memorandum would serve the public interest.
The Constitution vests the President with the authority to protect national security secrets from
disclosure. As the Supreme Court has recognized, it is the President’s responsibility to classify,
declassify, and control access to information bearing on our intelligence sources and methods
and national defense. See, e.g., Dep’t of Navy v. Egan, 484 U.S. 518, 527 (1988). In order to
facilitate appropriate congressional oversight, the Executive Branch may entrust classified
information to the appropriate committees of Congress, as it has done in connection with the
Committee’s oversight activities here. The Executive Branch does so on the assumption that the
Committee will responsibly protect such classified information, consistent with the laws of the
United States.
disclosure. As the Supreme Court has recognized, it is the President’s responsibility to classify,
declassify, and control access to information bearing on our intelligence sources and methods
and national defense. See, e.g., Dep’t of Navy v. Egan, 484 U.S. 518, 527 (1988). In order to
facilitate appropriate congressional oversight, the Executive Branch may entrust classified
information to the appropriate committees of Congress, as it has done in connection with the
Committee’s oversight activities here. The Executive Branch does so on the assumption that the
Committee will responsibly protect such classified information, consistent with the laws of the
United States.
The Committee has now determined that the release of the Memorandum would be appropriate.
The Executive Branch, across Administrations of both parties, has worked to accommodate
congressional requests to declassify specific materials in the public interest.¹ However, public
release of classified information by unilateral action of the Legislative Branch is extremely rare
and raises significant separation of powers concerns. Accordingly, the Committee’s request to
release the Memorandum is interpreted as a request for declassification pursuant to the
President’s authority.
The Executive Branch, across Administrations of both parties, has worked to accommodate
congressional requests to declassify specific materials in the public interest.¹ However, public
release of classified information by unilateral action of the Legislative Branch is extremely rare
and raises significant separation of powers concerns. Accordingly, the Committee’s request to
release the Memorandum is interpreted as a request for declassification pursuant to the
President’s authority.
The President understands that the protection of our national security represents his highest
obligation. Accordingly, he has directed lawyers and national security staff to assess the
obligation. Accordingly, he has directed lawyers and national security staff to assess the
¹ See, e.g., S. Rept. 114-8 at 12 (Administration of Barack Obama) (“On April 3, 2014 . . . the Committee agreed to
send the revised Findings and Conclusions, and the updated Executive Summary of the Committee Study, to the
President for declassification and public release.”); H. Rept. 107-792 (Administration of George W. Bush) (similar);
E.O. 12812 (Administration of George H. W. Bush) (noting Senate resolution requesting that President provide for
declassification of certain information via Executive Order).
send the revised Findings and Conclusions, and the updated Executive Summary of the Committee Study, to the
President for declassification and public release.”); H. Rept. 107-792 (Administration of George W. Bush) (similar);
E.O. 12812 (Administration of George H. W. Bush) (noting Senate resolution requesting that President provide for
declassification of certain information via Executive Order).
HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_026248
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