Electoral College Navy

This message is to confirm your request submission to the FOIAonline application: View Request. Request information is as follows: (https://foiaonline.regulations.gov:443/foia/action/public/view/request?objectId=090004d281099a0f)
* Tracking Number: DON-NAVY-2017-001893
* Requester Name: Michael Best
* Date Submitted: 12/14/2016
* Request Status: Submitted
* Description: Materials relating to or discussing the Electoral College, members of the Electoral College, or "faithless electors," as well as materials relating to the briefing request from Electoral College members.

Your request for Fee Waiver for the FOIA request DON-NAVY-2017-001893 has been determined to be not applicable as the request is not billable. Additional details for this request are as follows:
* Request Created on: 12/14/2016
* Request Long Description: Materials relating to or discussing the Electoral College, members of the Electoral College, or "faithless electors," as well as materials relating to the briefing request from Electoral College members.

12/15/2016 10:14 AM FOIA Request: DON-NAVY-2017-001893

Dear Mr. Best:
This responds to your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request referenced above that you submitted to the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) via MuckRock.  Your request was for “Materials relating to or discussing the Electoral College, members of the Electoral College, or "faithless electors," as well as materials relating to the briefing request from Electoral College members. According to the letter sent by the Electoral College "
You are informed ONI records pertain to ONI’s mission which is to produce meaningful maritime intelligence for key strategic, operational and tactical decision makers.  ONI supports combat operations and provides vital information for planning America’s defense against maritime threats.  ONI does not maintain records on the Electoral College, or materials relating to briefing requests from Electoral College members.  Investigative files maintained by ONI are related to those matters listed below.
a.  Investigative files of ONI’s Inspector General relating to fraud, waste or abuse committed by ONI employees.
b.  Investigative files conducted in accordance with the Judge Advocate General Manual (JAGMAN 5800.7F) related to ONI military personnel matters.
c.  Investigative files conducted in accordance with the Secretary of the Navy Instruction 12751A  Disciplinary Actions (SECNAVINST 12751A) related to ONI civilian disciplinary actions.
Additionally, your statement that you further require a briefing on all investigative findings related to your request does not appear to describe an existing ONI record.  The FOIA does not require an agency to create a record in order to respond to a FOIA request.
With ONI’s mission in mind, should you still believe ONI may possess responsive  records please provide additional information on why you believe this.  This information may further assist ONI in determining if ONI would have a record responsive to your request.  Otherwise, your request will be administratively closed within 20 days from the date of this email.
If you are dissatisfied with this response, you may contact the Navy FOIA Public Liaison at DONFOIAPublicLiaison@navy.mil or by telephone at 703-697-0031.  Please ensure you have your assigned FOIA number available.   Ms. Jeana Watson is the ONI point of contact for your request and can be reached at 301-669-2048 or by email at jwatson@nmic.navy.mil.
J. D. WATSON
By direction

01/25/2017 08:38 AM FOIA Request: DON-NAVY-2017-001893

Mr. Best:
This responds to your below email regarding your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request submitted to the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) via MuckRock on December 12, 2016.  Your request was for (as quoted) “Materials relating to or discussing the Electoral College, members of the Electoral College, or "faithless electors," as well as materials relating to the briefing request from Electoral College members.  According to the letter sent by the Electoral College "Trump’s willingness to disregard conclusions made by the intelligence community and his continuing defense of Russia and Russian President Vladimir Putin demand close scrutiny and deliberation from the Electoral College.  The Electors require to know from the intelligence community whether there are ongoing investigations into ties between Donald Trump, his campaign or associates, and Russian government interference in the election, the scope of those investigations, how far those investigations may have reached, and who was involved in those investigations. We further require a briefing on all investigative findings, as these matters directly impact the core factors in our deliberations of whether Mr. Trump is fit to serve as President of the United States."
As noted below, ONI responded to your request on December 15, 2016.  You were informed ONI does not maintain records from the Electoral College, or information related to a briefing request from Electoral College members.  Also as noted below, you were informed of the type of investigative files ONI does maintain.
Based on your belief that ONI, as a member of the intelligence community, could reasonably hold record pertaining to your request a Command-wide search was conducted by ONI and its subordinate commands, the Brooks Center for Maritime Engagement (Brooks), the Farragut Technical Analysis Center (Farragut), the Kennedy Irregular Warfare Center (Kennedy), the Hopper Information Services Center (Hopper) and the Nimitz Operational Intelligence Center (Nimitz).  No records were located responsive to "a request for a briefing" by the Electoral College or any responsive records related to "materials that the US Intelligence Community collectively examined this material" or records responsive to a "united conclusion" in reference to any such materials, to include the Office of the Director of National Intelligence stating the intelligence community is confident that the Russian Government directed the recent compromises of e-mails from US persons and institutions, including from US political organizations, such as the Electoral College.
The mission of ONI's five subordinate Commands who conducted searches are as follows.
a.  Brooks mission addresses the CNO’s priority strategic information requirements concerning security threats to our global maritime environment.  Brooks works to deepen professional relationships with other services, agencies, as well as maritime related commercial Industry, scientific research centers, and academic institutions.  Brooks focuses on emerging information concerning techniques and technologies to optimize the Navy’s Intellectual enterprise.
b.  Farragut’s mission is to identify technical characteristics, capabilities and vulnerabilities of current and future foreign naval forces threatening U.S. interests.  Farragut produces a variety of digital deliverables ingestible by research, development, testing and evaluation activities, acquisition program offices and advanced decision aides embedded in U.S. Navy systems.  Farragut produces validated threat data and assessments to support the Department of Defense and navy long-range planning and acquisition programs.  Farragut develops and sustains Acoustic Intelligence infrastructure and processes.  Farragut’s five departments are as follows: Acquisition Intelligence Integration Department; the Command, Control, Communication and Computer Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance Department; the Naval Platforms Department; the Acoustic Intelligence Department; and the Naval Weapons Department.
c.  Kennedy’s mission is to provide products and services to meet Department of Defense, National, Navy, Naval Special Warfare and the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command maritime irregular warfare intelligence requirements, and to perform such other functions and tasks as may be assigned by higher authority.   Kennedy’s six departments are the Administrative Department; the Analysis Department; the Operations and Plans Department; the Logistic Support Department; the Communications Department; and the Training Department.
d.  Hopper’s mission is to deliver responsive and adaptable intelligence mission systems, applications and to provide services support for sustained global maritime and joint intelligence operations.  Hopper is the intelligence information services provider for ONI and its naval, joint, interagency and international customers supporting MDA intelligence requirements.  Hopper’s six departments are the Operations Department; the Protection Department; the Transformation Department; the Intergradation and Develop Department; the Control Department; and the Joint Deployable Intelligence Support Systems Department.
e.  Nimitz’s mission is to provide Maritime Domaine Awareness intelligence for ONI’s operational customers in the Department of Defense and Coast Guard.  Nimitz’s four departments are the Naval Warfare Department; the Fleet Support Department; the Transnational Threat Department; and the Fleet Imagery Support Department.
If you are dissatisfied with this response, you may contact the Navy FOIA Public Liaison at DONFOIAPublicLiaison@navy.mil or by telephone at 703-697-0031.  Please ensure you have your assigned FOIA number available.  Alternatively, you are advised of your right to appeal this determination.  To exercise this right refer to the above referenced litigation number and send your appeal justification to the Judge Advocate General (Code 14), Department of the Navy, Building 33, Washington Navy Yard, 1322 Patterson Avenue, SE, Suite 3000, Washington, DC 20374-5066.  Your appeal must be received by that office within 60 calendar days from the date of this letter.  A copy of this letter should accompany your appeal statement and we recommend you label your letter and envelope with the notation "Freedom of Information Act Appeal."
Ms. Jeana Watson is the ONI point of contact for your request and can be reached at 301-669-2048 or by email at jwatson@nmic.navy.mil. (mailto:jwatson@nmic.navy.mil)
J. D. WATSON
By direction