Trump: I’ll give Russia secrets if I feel like it..
Tweet undercuts press team denial
US President Donald Trump insisted he has the “absolute right” to share highly classified information with the Kremlin.
Trump made his U-turn yesterday hours after having aides brand claims that he blabbed about secrets to Russian officials as “totally false”.
He tweeted: “As President, I wanted to share with Russia (at an openly scheduled WH meeting), which I have the absolute right to do, facts pertaining to terrorism and airline flight safety. Humanitarian reasons, plus I want Russia to greatly step up their fight against ISIS & terrorism.”
Slamming the way the details had emerged, he said: “Find the LEAKERS in the intelligence community.”
Last night it emerged Trump may have disclosed Israeli intelligence in last week’s Oval Office meeting with Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov and US ambassador, Sergey Kislyak. The chat came hours after he fired FBI director James Comey, who was probing his election team over links to the Kremlin.
Mr Trump allegedly disclosed intelligence on an Islamic State plot, saying: “I get great intel. I have people brief me on great intel every day.”
One source said the President “revealed more information than we have shared with our own allies”.
A European intelligence official yesterday warned his country may stop sharing information with the US if it continues to disclose such material. Mr Trump’s behaviour is not illegal, but his move drew strong criticism from Democrats and his own Republican party. Senator Bob Corker said: “The White House has got to do something to bring itself under control.” Democrat Patrick Leahy added: “It would be almost inconceivable any president would let something of that nature out.”
Israel would not confirm that they were the source of the information.
Ambassador Ron Dermer said: “Israel has full confidence in our intelligence-sharing relationship with the United States.”
As the story broke, national security advisor HR McMaster said: “I was in the room, it didn’t happen.” McMaster was said to be livid at Mr Trump’s tweets, which undercut him.
Asked about the story, Theresa May said: “It is not up to me what President Trump says to anybody.”
BLABBING Donald Trump has turned the US Presidency into a soap opera with his inability to keep a state secret.
The latest episode would be funny if the issues weren’t so serious and the consequences deadly for those the big-mouth betrays.