Anon on why Coates was Circumvented
That notable is way way WAY overcomplicated.
E.O. 13526 explains all facets of federal CLAS and DECLAS. It is authoritative throughout the federal gov via the executive branch. All CLAS and DECLAS derives from the executive (i.e. POTUS and now also VPOTUS) and delegees. No exceptions.
E.O. 13526 explains DECLAS in Sec. 3.1. Authority for Declassification. This is authoritative for entire fed gov, as implemented by POTUS.
Excerpted:
(b) Information shall be declassified or downgraded by:
……
(d) …. In some exceptional cases, however, the need to protect such information may be outweighed by the public interest in disclosure of the information, and in these cases the information should be declassified. *When such questions arise, they shall be referred to the agency head or the senior agency official. That official will determine, as an exercise of discretion, whether the public interest in disclosure outweighs the damage to the national security that might reasonably be expected from disclosure.*
POTUS delegates this to the "agency head or senior agency official" at his discretion. Agency head performs DECLAS at his discretion. Done. Fini. Not arguable, and nothing nefarious or mysterious about it.
CLAS and DECLAS status is not subject to any judicial or legislative branch review whatsoever. Period.