CIA releases 71 declassified documents on 9/11 attacks

September 12, 2026 at 01:30 AM1 min

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The CIA on Friday released 71 declassified documents related to the September 11 attacks, marking the 25th anniversary. The documents include presidential daily briefings provided to Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. Director John Ratcliffe called the release an unprecedented step in transparency.

Key Facts

The CIA released 71 declassified documents related to the September 11 attacks on the 25th anniversary of the attacks.
The documents span from February 1998 to September 12, 2001, and include more than 100 pages of analytical data.
The collection is the largest release of declassified CIA presidential daily briefings related to 9/11.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe described the release as an unprecedented step in transparency and accountability.

Document Release

The CIA published 71 declassified documents on its website on Friday, the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. The documents cover the period from February 1998 to September 12, 2001. They include presidential daily briefings provided to President Bill Clinton and President George W. Bush. The release marks the first time more than 100 pages of CIA analytical data have become publicly available.

Intelligence Content

The documents reflect how CIA analysts' understanding of al-Qaeda evolved over time. They show attempts to highlight and warn about Osama bin Laden's plans to prepare attacks despite scarce, vague, and incomplete information. The collection provides unprecedented access to the most secret US intelligence in the years leading up to the attacks and the day after.

Official Response

CIA Director John Ratcliffe called the publication an unprecedented step in ensuring transparency and accountability. He wrote on social media platform X that Americans can now see for themselves the intelligence leading up to the tragic day. The September 11, 2001 attacks killed 2,977 people and changed approaches to security, intelligence, and counterterrorism for decades.