Eisenhower Discusses the U-2 Incident with Congressional Leaders (1960)

Date: May 26, 1960

Created By: James C. Hagerty

Original or Replica: Original

Era: The Presidency, The Cold War

Collection: Eisenhower Presidential Library

Citations: DDE’s Papers as President, DDE Diary Series, Box 50, Staff Notes May 1960 (1); NAID #12010079

This Memorandum of Conversation records a meeting between President Dwight D. Eisenhower and congressional leaders concerning the U-2 Incident of May 1960. During the meeting, Eisenhower discussed the secret American reconnaissance program and explained why he believed intelligence-gathering flights over the Soviet Union were necessary for national security.

Eisenhower acknowledged that he had authorized the U-2 reconnaissance program and accepted responsibility for the administration’s actions. He argued that the flights provided critical information about Soviet military capabilities that the United States could not obtain through ordinary intelligence methods. The conversation therefore provides insight into how Eisenhower balanced the risks of violating Soviet airspace against his responsibility to understand the military capabilities of America’s primary Cold War rival.

The meeting also addresses congressional oversight of secret intelligence operations. Members of Congress discussed whether Congress should have greater knowledge of CIA activities. Eisenhower expressed concern that expanding access to highly classified operations could increase the possibility of information being exposed and potentially endanger intelligence personnel and national security.

The meeting concluded with discussion of a public statement supporting the creation of a bipartisan congressional committee to investigate the U-2 Incident and recommend ways to prevent similar problems in the future.