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US President Donald Trump has said government officials who leak sensitive information to the media should face the death penalty, reiterating his administration’s hardline stance on unauthorised disclosures.
Speaking at a campaign rally in Bullhead City, Arizona, Trump said officials who disclose highly classified national security information should face severe consequences, including life imprisonment or execution.
He cited an alleged leak involving a potential US military operation against Iran, claiming an official had disclosed the timing and details of a planned mission to media outlets including The New York Times and CNN. Trump described those responsible for leaking such information as “the scum of the earth”.
Trump also criticised journalists attending the rally, accusing the media of spreading false and misleading information and suggesting their actions were comparable to those of leakers.
His remarks come amid intensified efforts by his administration to prevent unauthorised disclosures. According to The New York Times, around 50 members of the US military’s Joint Staff have faced polygraph tests as part of investigations into leaks of sensitive information.
In January, the FBI searched the home of a Washington Post journalist during an investigation into a government contractor accused of retaining classified documents. A federal court later restricted the use of seized material. In June, the administration also faced opposition after seeking to compel four journalists from The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal to testify before a grand jury, eventually withdrawing the subpoenas.
Trump has previously labelled mainstream media the “enemy of the people”. His latest comments have renewed concerns over press freedom and the protection of confidential sources in the United States.
Source: NBC News
