American Civil Liberties, Union v. Department of Justice
808 F. Supp. 2d 280
D.D.C.2011Background
- ACLU and ACLU Foundation FOIA requests to CIA and other agencies seeking records on drone strikes and legal basis for targeted killings; CIA issued Glomar response citing Exemptions 1 and 3; Plaintiffs challenged asserting Panetta remarks acknowledged CIA involvement; court considers CIA’s Glomar validity under Exemptions 1 and 3 and whether official acknowledgment defeats Glomar; court notes CIA’s classification under EO 13526 and NSA §403-1(i)(1); Plaintiffs seek various categories including legal basis, targets, civilian casualties, oversight, and personnel involved; CIA declaration asserts disclosure would reveal CIA functions and intelligence sources/methods and harm national security; court grants CIA summary judgment on FOIA claims.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether Exemption 3 justification via the CIA Act §403g applies | ACLU argues Exemption 3 is misapplied as overbroad | CIA contends records relate to CIA functions and are protected | Yes, Exemption 3 applies to shield existence of records |
| Whether drone strikes relate to intelligence sources or methods under the NSA | Plaintiffs claim program is not an intelligence activity | Court should extend protection to sources/methods | Yes, protected as intelligence sources/methods under NSA |
| Whether former Director Panetta's remarks officially acknowledged records | Plaintiffs claim remarks amount to official acknowledgment | No explicit, specific acknowledgment of CIA records | No official acknowledgment; Glomar protection stands |
| FOIA Exemption 1 sufficiency supporting Glomar | Exemption 1 should not be necessary if Exemption 3 already applies | Exemption 1 independently supports Glomar given classification | Exemption 1 independently supports Glomar |
Key Cases Cited
- ACLU v. U.S. Dep’t of Defense, 628 F.3d 612 (D.C. Cir. 2011) (deference to agency affidavits in national security FOIA)
- Halperin v. CIA, 629 F.2d 144 (D.C. Cir. 1980) (limits of CIA Act §403g and deference to affidavits)
- Sims, 471 U.S. 159 (Sup. Ct. 1985) (broad protection of intelligence sources/methods under NSA)
- Wolf v. CIA, 473 F.3d 370 (D.C. Cir. 2007) (afford substantial weight to CIA affidavits in national security FOIA)
- Phillippi v. CIA, 546 F.2d 1009 (D.C. Cir. 1976) (limits of §403g protection; internal structure specificity)
- Wilner v. NSA, 592 F.3d 60 (2d Cir. 2010) (officially acknowledged test; public disclosures do not waive Glomar)
- Public Citizen v. Dep’t of State, 11 F.3d 198 (D.C. Cir. 1993) (need exact public-domain fact for waiver; not just similar disclosures)
- Gardels v. CIA, 689 F.2d 1100 (D.C. Cir. 1982) (national security exemptions; deference to executive affidavits)
- Riquelme v. CIA, 453 F. Supp. 2d 103 (D.D.C. 2006) (functions of CIA personnel protected under §403g)