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NSA staff confirmed the report was accurate — but it was recalled via an unusually unclassified addendum·September 9, 2025
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard ordered the National Security Agency to recall a classified report about Venezuela — including recordings of Trump special envoy Richard Grenell's conversations with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro — despite NSA staff confirming the report was accurate and complied with all agency policies. The April 2025 recall order came via an unclassified addendum attached to a classified report, a procedure intelligence veterans called "extraordinarily unusual." Former officials said the standard response to sensitivity concerns would be to restrict access, not recall the document. Grenell's conversations, captured by NSA surveillance, showed him steering talks with Maduro toward deals that would benefit American energy companies including Chevron. The report became public in September 2025.
Key facts
NSA's classified report documented Grenell's conversations with Nicolás Maduro, including discussions that steered toward benefits for American energy companies like Chevron
Gabbard's recall order came in April 2025 via an unclassified addendum — the addendum itself stated the report 'is accurate and in accordance with all NSA policy, directives, and guidance'
Former intelligence officials said the standard response to sensitivity concerns is to increase classification or restrict access — not recall the document entirely
An 'unclassified addendum' directing recall of a classified product is 'extraordinarily unusual' because it creates a paper trail outside the classified system
Gabbard declassified Russia investigation materials over CIA objections in July 2025 — while suppressing this Venezuela report months earlier in April 2025
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