C.I.A. Retracts Reports Flagged for Bias

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by Julian E. Barnes

February 20, 2026

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The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has retracted 17 reports and revised two others from its database over the past decade, citing issues related to diversity, equity, or inclusion as well as concerns about inappropriate sourcing or topics deemed irrelevant to intelligence work. Senior officials explained that these documents fell short of the agency’s standards for impartiality, prompting a review by the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board, which flagged 19 reports for further scrutiny. Members of this board, appointed by the current administration, advised on intelligence matters and recommended declassifying or revising certain documents. Former CIA officials have pushed back against both the decision to declassify these reports and the argument that they were flawed. They argue that the documents simply reflected policy priorities of past administrations and do not represent shoddy tradecraft or bias. Current and former officials noted that the 21 flagged reports represent a small fraction of the tens of thousands of intelligence pieces produced by the agency over the last decade, emphasizing their limited scope. The revised approach to intelligence reporting highlights shifting priorities under President Trump’s administration, with senior CIA leadership aligning closely with White House directives. This move underscores broader efforts within U.S. intelligence agencies to reassess and reevaluate past policies and practices, particularly those related to diversity and inclusion. The decision has sparked debate about the balance between political influence and impartial intelligence gathering, raising questions about how such priorities will shape future agency operations. This development matters for readers interested in news and national security, as it reflects ongoing tensions between political leadership and intelligence agencies over the scope and focus of their work. It also raises important questions about the

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Originally published on NYT Homepage on 2/20/2026