US vows crackdown on staggering number of leaks

Washington: US Attorney-General Jeff Sessions has vowed to crack down on government employees who leak classified or sensitive information, after a spate of revelations in the media – many of them unfavourable – about the Trump administration.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly fumed about “illegal leaks” and even lashed out publicly at Sessions for taking what he called a “very weak” position on the issue.

Under pressure, and with some saying his job could be on the line, Mr Sessions responded. “I strongly agree with the President and condemn in the strongest terms the staggering number of leaks undermining the ability of our government to protect this country,” Mr Sessions told a press conference.

Four people have already been charged with “unlawfully disclosing” classified material or concealing contacts with federal officers, he said.

Active leak investigations this year have tripled compared with the number before Mr Trump took office, Mr Sessions added.

“We are taking a stand. This culture of leaking must stop,” he said, adding that “we will not allow rogue anonymous sources with security clearances to sell out our country.” Moves to crack down on damaging leaks did not originate with Trump’s administration. Under his predecessor Barack Obama, whistleblowers and leakers who talked to journalists were prosecuted, and the Justice Department issued subpoenas to reporters to compel them to reveal their sources.

In what could signal an ominous turn, Mr Sessions said his Justice Department was reviewing policies affecting “media subpoenas.” While the administration has respect for the press, “it is not unlimited,” he said. “They cannot place lives at risk with impunity. We must balance the press’s role with protecting our national security.”