Reading Room Document

Effect of Court of Appeals Decision on CIA Activities

The document is a memorandum opinion discussing the consequences of the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit's decision in Weissman v. Central Intelligence Agency. The court's ruling raises questions about the activities of the CIA and the scope of permissible investigations of U.S. citizens with no connection to the CIA. The document provides a detailed analysis of the court's decision and suggests that the CIA should draft procedures governing investigations of U.S. citizens without clear connections to the CIA, while also seeking further clarification from the court. The conclusions reached in the document highlight the ambiguity of the court's opinion and the need for the CIA to develop procedures for conducting investigations in light of the ruling.

September 1, 1977