What do CIA papers show about midnight file searches and spying on reporters?
Research question: What do CIA Office of Security records and internal correspondence show about the midnight file-rifling and newsmen surveillance, and where are those records held today?
The verified facts do not directly describe CIA Office of Security records or internal correspondence about midnight file-rifling or surveillance of newsmen. They only name domestic programs such as HTLINGUAL, CHAOS, MERRIMAC, and RESISTANCE that a 2016 dissertation examines 3, and that author concludes the NSA, FBI, and CIA knowingly and repeatedly violated the constitutional rights of countless citizens between World War II and the Vietnam War 5. On location, most CIA records stay with the agency longer than most agencies keep theirs 2, and Historical Collections documents are reviewed with CIA components before transfer to the National Archives 1. Selected topical copies are deposited at the National Archives, usually redacted 4, and CREST declassified records, once available only in College Park, Maryland, have been online through the Electronic Reading Room since January 17, 2017 67. The newest fact is from January 2017, so it is about nine years old as of October 2026 and may not reflect current holdings.
Sources
"The Historical Review Program coordinates the review of the documents with CIA components and other US Government entities before final declassification action is taken and the documents are transferred to the National Archives ."Historical Collections | CIA FOIA (foia.cia.gov)
"Given the sensitive nature of its work and the length of time before they can be declassified, most CIA records are retained by the agency for a longer period of time than for most other agencies."Records of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) - National Archives
"and Central Intelligence Agency operations HTLINGUAL, CHAOS, MERRIMAC, and RESISTANCE."Domestic Surveillance in the United States: World War II to Vietnam (2016)
"In addition to original records, the CIA has deposited collections of copies of selected documents relating to special topics in the National Archives. In most cases, those documents have been redacted to remove information considered sensitive at the time of transfer."Records of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) - National Archives
"The examination of these operations concludes that the NSA, FBI, and CIA fundamentally violated the constitutional rights of countless citizens and these violations were carried out knowingly and repeatedly."Domestic Surveillance in the United States: World War II to Vietnam (2016)
"The documents were previously only available to the public at the National Archives in Maryland. Approximately 930,000 documents, totaling more than 12 million pages, are now available in the CIA’s Electronic Reading Room on CIA’s website ."CIA Posts More Than 12 Million Pages of CREST Records Online - CIA
"Since 1999, the CIA has regularly released its historical declassified records to the standalone CIA Records Search Tool (CREST) system that was only accessible in person at the National Archives Records Administration (NARA) in College Park, Maryland."CIA Posts More Than 12 Million Pages of CREST Records Online - CIA
"Materials we consider especially sensitive--more for privacy than national security reasons--include 201 files, phone taps, mail intercepts, security files, photo surveillance, names of sources, watch lists, and MHCHAOS documentation."CIA Reading Room 00360975: MEMO FOR: SURVEY OF CIA'S RECORDS FROM HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATIONS INVESTIGATION (1992)
"Transferring these HSCA records to the National Archives will protect their existing classification."CIA Reading Room 00360975: MEMO FOR: SURVEY OF CIA'S RECORDS FROM HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATIONS INVESTIGATION (1992)