classified

Government information formally designated as restricted from public disclosure due to national security concerns. U.S. classified information is organized into three tiers, Confidential, Secret, and Top Secret, based on the potential damage its disclosure could cause to national security. Certain categories of intelligence are further compartmented under “Special Access Programs” or codeword systems requiring additional clearance. Unauthorized retention, removal, or disclosure of classified material is a federal crime under the Espionage Act and other statutes, regardless of whether the information has been declassified later or whether the official involved is the president.