The White House called the Washington Post story "false".
President Donald Trump defended himself Tuesday against allegations that he shared highly classified information with Russian diplomats during a recent White House meeting, saying he had an "absolute right" to share facts regarding terrorism and airline safety. "Humanitarian reasons, plus I want Russian Federation to greatly step up their fight against ISIS & terrorism".
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday insisted he had the right to share "facts" with Russian Federation, saying he acted to help Moscow in its "fight against ISIS and terrorism". Humanitarian reasons, plus I want Russian Federation to greatly step up their fight against ISIS & terrorism.
According to the Post, the intelligence involved information about an Islamic State plot to use laptop computers as possible weapons aboard commercial aircraft and had been provided by a USA ally with access to the inner workings of the terrorist group.
Trump shared details about an Islamic State terror threat related to the use of laptop computers on aircraft with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Russian ambassador to the U.S. Sergey Kislyak, a senior U.S official told The Associated Press.
"A former US intelligence official has told CBS News that "inappropriate" information" was discussed by Mr. Trump during that Oval Office meeting with Lavrov and Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak last week.
BuzzFeed also confirmed The Post's report, with one USA official saying that the disclosures from the president to the Russians were "far worse than what has already been reported". "The story that came out tonight as reported is false". CIA Director Mike Pompeo was to brief members of the House intelligence committee later in the day.
The US leader's disclosure of classified information did not break the law, according to the national security blog Lawfare, but such revelations could expose sources and methods and "substantially harm" US intelligence gathering partnerships with foreign governments. And I was in the room.
He added, "So, it's not at all helpful that this happened with Russians, but again, particulars about the meeting, we don't know all that much yet". "The President only discussed the common threats that both countries faced".
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of NY also called the story "disturbing", adding, "Revealing classified information at this level is extremely risky and puts at risk the lives of Americans and those who gather intelligence for our country".
The Trump White House has returned to crisis mode as it reacts to yet another bombshell.
Alonso jets off to Indy for Monday practice
But that is what Fridays are for. "Yeah it was [a good weekend] in general, everything was positive", Alonso told Sky Sports . Alonso's MCL32 auto broke down at just the second corner. "It's like juggling balls in the wind".
The New York Times, which later picked up the story, said the ally had previously shared information with the USA only to see it leaked, and had warned U.S. officials that it may cut off access to such information if it is shared too widely.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson also disputed the report.
The president, in the meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Ambassador Sergey Kislyak, appeared to be boasting about inside knowledge of a looming threat to aviation, according to the Washington Post.
"During that exchange the nature of specific threats were discussed, but they did not discuss sources, methods or military operations".
"The president wasn't even aware where this information came from", McMaster said.
"If it's accurate, it would be troubling", Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said.
Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) described the dispatch as "really shocking", while Sen.
Senior Republican senator, John McCain, told CNN that "if it's true, it's obviously disturbing".
Trump repeatedly assailed his Democratic rival in the presidential election, Hillary Clinton, for her handling of classified information by email while she was secretary of state.
"The disclosure of highly classified information has the potential to jeopardize sources and to discourage our allies from sharing future information vital to our security".
Shortly after it was revealed that Trump allegedly divulged the confidential information, the White House announced that Trump was planning to call King Abdullah of Jordan.
Comments