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Today in History: Robert Novak Publishes Valerie Plame CIA Identity

7/14/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On July 14, 2003, columnist Robert Novak disclosed that Valerie Plame, a covert CIA officer, worked for the agency, exposing her identity to the public. The revelation sparked the Plame affair, a political scandal that questioned government secrecy, led to intense media scrutiny of the leak’s origins, and highlighted risks of politicized intelligence.

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Story summary

On July 14, 2003, columnist Robert Novak disclosed that Valerie Plame, a covert CIA officer, worked for the agency, exposing her identity to the public. The revelation sparked the Plame affair, a political scandal that questioned government secrecy, led to intense media scrutiny of the leak’s origins, and highlighted risks of politicized intelligence.