What did the declassified documents reveal?

FBI File 62-HQ-81484, released on March 6, 2024, is a collection of documents related to "War Plans." The file was obtained through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request by John R. Greenewald Jr. and is available on The Black Vault's website. This document is notable as it provides insight into the FBI's handling of FOIA requests and the agency's procedures for releasing sensitive information. The document is a letter from the FBI to John R. Greenewald Jr., dated December 10, 2021, addressing his FOIA request for records related to "War Plans." The letter states that the FBI has determined that 335 pages of records are responsive to the request and have been previously processed and released. The letter explains that the FBI is releasing documents from previous requests regarding the subject, and that additional records potentially responsive to the request may exist. The agency advises that if the release of previously processed material does not satisfy the request, the requester may request an additional search for records. The letter also notes that one or more of the enclosed records were transferred to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), and that the original records are no longer in the FBI's possession. The agency advises that if the requester is not satisfied with the FBI's determination, they may file a FOIPA request with NARA. The document also includes an FBI FOIPA Addendum, which provides information applicable to the request. The Addendum includes standard responses that apply to all requests, as well as information about the FBI's procedures for handling FOIA requests. The FBI FOIPA Addendum states that the standard responses below apply to all requests: (i) Congress excluded three categories of law enforcement and national security records from the requirements of the FOIA. FBI responses are limited to those records subject to the requirements of the FOIA. (ii) Intelligence Records. To the extent the request seeks records of intelligence sources, methods, or activities, the FBI can neither confirm nor deny the existence of such records. [Four lines redacted under exemption B1] The document also includes information about the FBI's procedures for handling FOIA requests, including the payment of pertinent fees and the application of "unusual circumstances" which may delay the agency's response. The letter is signed by Michael G. Seidel, Section Chief of the Record/Information Dissemination Section, Information Management Division. This is what the public record looks like at its most ordinary. For more information, visit storyflo.com and the document's canonical URL at https://documents2.theblackvault.com/documents/fbifiles/1511351-000.pdf.

Why was this case declassified?

This material entered the public record through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process.

Case · DAILY-010

FBI File: “War Plans”

JUL 6 · 2026Narrated by daily-declassified-fbi-file-war-plans4 minLast updated July 6, 2026

The short version

" The file was obtained through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request by John R. Greenewald Jr. and is available on The Black Vault's website. This document is notable as it provides insight into the FBI's handling of FOIA requests and the agency's procedures for releasing sensitive information.

Date: JUL 6 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)

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Episode notes

FBI File 62-HQ-81484, released on March 6, 2024, is a collection of documents related to "War Plans." The file was obtained through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request by John R. Greenewald Jr. and is available on The Black Vault's website. This document is notable as it provides insight…

Questions about this case

What was FBI File: “War Plans” about?: " The file was obtained through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request by John R. Greenewald Jr. and is available on The Black Vault's website. This document is notable as it provides insight into the FBI's handling of FOIA requests and the agency's procedures for releasing sensitive information.
Why was this case declassified?: This material entered the public record through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. Storyflo narrates it directly from the public release.

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