CIA Rejects Zachary Young Memoir, Orders Deletion of All Copies Within 30 Days
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 14
CIA Rejects Zachary Young Memoir, Orders Deletion of All Copies Within 30 Days
2 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 14
Summary
A CIA review office denied publication of Zachary Young’s memoir “American Spy” and instructed him to delete electronic files, clear backups and recycle bins, and shred or burn hard copies.
The agency said the manuscript relies on sensitive information covered by Young’s nondisclosure agreement, though Young says officials have not identified any specific passage as classified.
Young, a Navy veteran who lives in Austria, said the appeal window was effectively shortened because the letter arrived after half of the 30-day period had already passed.
He called the order censorship, arguing the CIA had already confirmed his agency background to CNN reporters during the reporting that led to his defamation case.
The dispute extends fallout from that case: a 2025 jury awarded Young $5 million before punitive damages, and CNN later settled for an undisclosed amount.