"Leaks are a problem": Congress feuds over Trump limits on sharing intel
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Photo: Mike Johnson and Chuck Schumer. Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) wants to know what President Trump is "hiding" after the White House decided to limit the classified intel it shares with Congress, as Axios scooped earlier today.
- But House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) told Axios "there'll be a price to pay" after "classified documents were not only leaked, they were offered for view by Democrats."
Why it matters: Democrats see the Trump decision — made after an alleged leak of intelligence earlier this week — as a significant escalation in what they say is the White House's attempt to stonewall Congress about the Iran conflict.
- But the White House is "declaring a war on leakers," a source told Axios' Marc Caputo.
- "Almost as soon as we put the information on [CAPNET, the system used to share intel with Congress], it leaks," an administration source said.
🤬 Down the line, high-ranking Democrats vented to Axios about Trump's plans:
- "It must be bad news," Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin told Axios. "They were embarrassed by the leak because it suggested that they did not obliterate the Iran nuclear program as promised."
- House Intel ranking member Jim Himes (D-Conn.) said the leak is "unacceptable and should be fully investigated," but that it's "also unacceptable for the Administration to use unsubstantiated speculation" to "justify cutting off Congress."
- Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), the top Democrat on Senate Intel, told Axios he wanted more information before issuing a full statement, but offered: "It would be extraordinarily disturbing."
The other side: "Leaks are a problem ... I was an FBI agent and I'm on Intel now — briefers are oftentimes afraid to honestly testify because they don't trust Congress' ability to keep quiet and respect the rules," Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) told Axios.
- "I am furious with the repeated, blatant disregard for the very simple, proper handling of classified information," House Intel chair Rick Crawford (R-Ark.) told Axios.
- I will continue to work with the Administration to ensure information to keep Congress fully and currently informed is shared via the appropriate Committees with appropriate oversight responsibilities," he said.
Johnson reiterated his dismay. "There was a very serious breach of rules and protocols here. It's really sad when the administration cannot trust members of Congress, in the other party."
