The Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued a legal threat against HarperCollins, warning of potential criminal prosecution if it proceeds with publishing a spy memoir by Zachary Young, a CIA-trained U.S. Navy veteran. The DOJ’s Federal Programs Branch director, Alexander Haas, wrote in a June 26 letter that Young is prohibited from publishing or disclosing classified or sensitive national security information obtained during his employment without prior authorization from the United States. Haas instructed Young to delete all copies of his "unapproved manuscript" and emphasized that Young agreed to comply with secrecy provisions for life.

Young, who previously won a defamation lawsuit against CNN, has collaborated with "American Sniper" co-author Scott McEwen on the memoir titled "American Spy," which details his undercover career in hostile environments and international espionage. Young insists the book does not contain classified information and that he informed his former employer accordingly. He also noted that his CIA affiliation was publicly confirmed during his trial, with the agency verifying his background to CNN reporters.

Criticizing the DOJ’s warning as "a blatant intimidation tactic," Young highlighted a report from NewsBusters revealing that the CIA public affairs director who confirmed his affiliation to CNN correspondent Alex Marquardt had previously worked for CNN between 2017 and 2020. Young also successfully alleged that CNN smeared him by implying illegal profiteering during the 2021 Afghanistan military withdrawal.

The dispute has led HarperCollins to pause the memoir’s publication amid ongoing prepublication review disagreements.

Sources