you assume all classified info has compelling reason to be classified.
It does. You are speaking confidently with zero knowledge of a subject that is my job. I retrain annually in order to maintain my capability to properly handle classified information.
Classified info is not classified because someone decided to mark it that way to cover his ass. It's done according to program guidelines that were written by someone very far separated from the individuals actually doing the work, whose job was simply to identify what has potential to cause damage to the US government if released prior to the declassification date.
When I create a classified document--as I do on a daily basis--I do it with a binder next to me that identifies all the subjects and numbers that are individually classified and require the whole thing be marked as a classified document. Then I submit that document to a PM who reviews it, checks all my markings a second time, and confirms it is accurately marked before disseminating it.
If this document is marked classified, it contains classified information. That information is not classified to cover the FBI's ass for recent activities. It's classified because someone who was involved in creating the program generated a document specification that identified specific names, locations, numbers, and other terminology as classified.
In generating his memo, Nunes had to refer to that document, and portion-mark each paragraph that contained such information as classified. Some such portions may be inadvertently both documenting supposed misdeeds and including specified classified information; it may be impossible to document the alleged actions without including that information.
But it's not classified because the FBI doesn't want people to know that Agent Bob Jones fucked Melania in the process of learning that Donald was getting pegged during the making of the peepee tape.
It's classified because the FBI doesn't want people to know Agent Bob Jones' name, operating location, etc. Classified information is classified because its release harms active programs.
I actually do have a lot of knowledge of this subject. I used to be a manager at a store on a military base, and because of that I had to handle classified information daily because the store had to be compliant with DOJ regulations. There is literally tons (like tons pertaining to actual weight)of papers that are classified for reasons that are in no way realted to national security. ---