Liberal Wall Street Journal
Trump Shared Intelligence Secrets With Russians in Oval Office Meeting
Intelligence came from close U.S. ally and detailed Islamic State operations; national security adviser issues denial, says ‘I was in the room, it didn’t happen’
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, President Donald Trump and Russian Ambassador to the U.S. Sergei Kislyak in the Oval Office last week. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
By Carol E. Lee and
Shane Harris
Updated May 16, 2017 5:22 a.m. ET4805 COMMENTS
WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump shared sensitive intelligence obtained from a close U.S. ally with Russia’s foreign minister and ambassador in a meeting last week, according to U.S. officials, potentially jeopardizing critical intelligence-sharing agreements in the fight against Islamic State.
Mr. Trump met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Russian Ambassador Sergei Kislyak in the Oval Office the day after firing Federal Bureau of Investigation Director James Comey.
During the meeting with the Russian officials, Mr. Trump mentioned details about Islamic State in a way that revealed enough information for the Russians to potentially compromise the source, according to the officials, who said the intelligence came from the U.S. ally.
According to one U.S. official, the information shared was highly sensitive and difficult to acquire and was considered extraordinarily valuable. The Wall Street Journal agreed not to identify the ally because another U.S. official said it could jeopardize the source.
The Washington Post reported Mr. Trump’s disclosure and said White House officials called the Central Intelligence Agency and National Security Agency to warn of Mr. Trump’s disclosure and its possible consequences.
National Security Adviser Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster said on Tuesday that counterterrorism information that President Trump shared in a meeting with Russians in the Oval Office last week "was wholly appropriate," following reports that the president had revealed sensitive information. Photo: Reuters
The White House denied on Monday that Mr. Trump disclosed any sources and methods of U.S. intelligence services or those of U.S. allies.
“I was in the room. It didn’t happen,” National Security Adviser Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster said in a statement outside the White House.
Gen. McMaster said in his statement that Mr. Trump didn’t divulge intelligence sources, methods or military operations, but he stopped short of denying that the president had shared any intelligence or other secrets with the Russians.
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called the reports “another fake,” without addressing their substance.
“Guys, have you been reading too many American newspapers again? Don’t read them. You can use them in various ways, but don’t read them—recently it is not only harmful, but also dangerous,” she wrote in a message on her Facebook page Tuesday.
It was the latest in a string of controversies, all stemming from investigations into Mr. Trump’s associates and presidential campaign over ties to Russia. Mr. Trump last week fired Mr. Comey, who was heading up the investigation into the ties between Trump associates and Russia and testified about the probe.
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The president’s meeting with Messrs. Lavrov and Kislyak came the day after Mr. Comey’s firing. The White House didn’t provide a photograph or detailed readout about the meeting, although a photographer from the Russian news agency, TASS, was in the room and released photographs.
The latest controversy left lawmakers puzzled and pessimistic about Mr. Trump’s administration.
“The White House has got to do something soon to bring itself under control and in order. It’s got to happen,” Sen. Bob Corker (R., Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee said, referring to the string of recent events at the White House. “Obviously they’re in a downward spiral right now and they’ve got to figure out a way to come to grips with all that’s happening.”
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The latest disclosures stunned Washington’s national-security veterans on both sides of the political divide. Although presidents have the legal right to declassify intelligence as they see fit, doing so can put intelligence sources abroad in danger and make them less willing to work with the U.S., several defense officials said.
“These reports, if true, are of the gravest possible concern,” said Sen. Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat and a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee. “It could harm our national security by cutting off important sources of intelligence that protect Americans against terrorist acts.”
“If it’s true, it’d be troubling,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.).
“Giving the Russians intelligence that our counterterrorism partners have asked us to protect is incredibly dangerous,” said Jeremy Bash, the former Pentagon chief of staff under President Obama. “It will ensure that those partners don’t share with us the information we need to protect ourselves.”
“It’s so mind-boggling, I don’t even know what to say,” said Eric Edelman, a former undersecretary of defense during the George W. Bush administration. “I’m completely gobsmacked. It’s jeopardizing a human source. It’s the one thing you’re trained to never do.”
On Capitol Hill, the report of Mr. Trump’s possible disclosure of classified information to the Russia’s top diplomat and its U.S. envoy prompted a chorus of concern from Democrats and Republicans.
A spokesman for House Speaker Paul Ryan (R., Wis.) released a statement calling for a “full explanation of the facts from the administration.”
“We have no way to know what was said, but protecting our nation’s secrets is paramount,” said Mr. Ryan’s spokesman, Doug Andres.
Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chairman Mark Warner (D., Va.) said on Twitter: “If true, this is a slap in the face to the intel community. Risking sources & methods is inexcusable, particularly with the Russians.”
Sen. Patrick Leahy (D., Vt.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said he hadn’t confirmed the veracity of the Post’s report, but told CNN: “You never disclose sources of evidence.”
He continued, “It would be almost inconceivable that any president would allow something of that nature out.”
After the initial revelations, reporters flooded the hallway outside press secretary Sean Spicer’s West Wing office. At one point, Gen. McMaster walked into the scrum and quickly turned back and walked out, joking that the hallway full of reporters was “the last place” he wanted to be.
Ninety minutes after the Post story was published, Dina Powell, deputy national security adviser for strategy—and who also sat in on the meeting with the Russian officials—denied the story on the record. She called the Post’s story “false” and said: “The president only discussed the common threats that both countries faced.”
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson also issued a denial of the Post article.
A spokesman for the Post couldn’t be immediately reached for comment, but one of the Post reporters said in a television interview that the newspaper stood by the article.
—Paul Sonne, Eli Stokols, Rebecca Ballhaus, Louise Radnofsky and Byron Tau contributed to this article.
Trump Shared Intelligence Secrets With Russians in Oval Office Meeting
Intelligence came from close U.S. ally and detailed Islamic State operations; national security adviser issues denial, says ‘I was in the room, it didn’t happen’
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, President Donald Trump and Russian Ambassador to the U.S. Sergei Kislyak in the Oval Office last week. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
By Carol E. Lee and
Shane Harris
Updated May 16, 2017 5:22 a.m. ET4805 COMMENTS
WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump shared sensitive intelligence obtained from a close U.S. ally with Russia’s foreign minister and ambassador in a meeting last week, according to U.S. officials, potentially jeopardizing critical intelligence-sharing agreements in the fight against Islamic State.
Mr. Trump met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Russian Ambassador Sergei Kislyak in the Oval Office the day after firing Federal Bureau of Investigation Director James Comey.
During the meeting with the Russian officials, Mr. Trump mentioned details about Islamic State in a way that revealed enough information for the Russians to potentially compromise the source, according to the officials, who said the intelligence came from the U.S. ally.
According to one U.S. official, the information shared was highly sensitive and difficult to acquire and was considered extraordinarily valuable. The Wall Street Journal agreed not to identify the ally because another U.S. official said it could jeopardize the source.
The Washington Post reported Mr. Trump’s disclosure and said White House officials called the Central Intelligence Agency and National Security Agency to warn of Mr. Trump’s disclosure and its possible consequences.
National Security Adviser Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster said on Tuesday that counterterrorism information that President Trump shared in a meeting with Russians in the Oval Office last week "was wholly appropriate," following reports that the president had revealed sensitive information. Photo: Reuters
The White House denied on Monday that Mr. Trump disclosed any sources and methods of U.S. intelligence services or those of U.S. allies.
“I was in the room. It didn’t happen,” National Security Adviser Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster said in a statement outside the White House.
Gen. McMaster said in his statement that Mr. Trump didn’t divulge intelligence sources, methods or military operations, but he stopped short of denying that the president had shared any intelligence or other secrets with the Russians.
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called the reports “another fake,” without addressing their substance.
“Guys, have you been reading too many American newspapers again? Don’t read them. You can use them in various ways, but don’t read them—recently it is not only harmful, but also dangerous,” she wrote in a message on her Facebook page Tuesday.
It was the latest in a string of controversies, all stemming from investigations into Mr. Trump’s associates and presidential campaign over ties to Russia. Mr. Trump last week fired Mr. Comey, who was heading up the investigation into the ties between Trump associates and Russia and testified about the probe.
RELATED
- Trump Says He Had ‘Absolute Right’ to Share ‘Facts’
- Republican Lawmakers Express Frustration With White House Over Report
- Capital Journal: Stakes Rise as Trump Embraces Controversy
- U.S. Accuses Syria of Mass Executions, Running Crematorium
- Trump Administration Lacks North Korea Experience, Ex-U.S. Diplomat Says
- Washington Wire: Spicer Again Says Trump Has Nothing to Add on ‘Tapes’
- Spies Keep Intelligence From Donald Trump on Leak Concerns (Feb. 16)
The president’s meeting with Messrs. Lavrov and Kislyak came the day after Mr. Comey’s firing. The White House didn’t provide a photograph or detailed readout about the meeting, although a photographer from the Russian news agency, TASS, was in the room and released photographs.
The latest controversy left lawmakers puzzled and pessimistic about Mr. Trump’s administration.
“The White House has got to do something soon to bring itself under control and in order. It’s got to happen,” Sen. Bob Corker (R., Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee said, referring to the string of recent events at the White House. “Obviously they’re in a downward spiral right now and they’ve got to figure out a way to come to grips with all that’s happening.”
Newsletter Sign-up
The latest disclosures stunned Washington’s national-security veterans on both sides of the political divide. Although presidents have the legal right to declassify intelligence as they see fit, doing so can put intelligence sources abroad in danger and make them less willing to work with the U.S., several defense officials said.
“These reports, if true, are of the gravest possible concern,” said Sen. Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat and a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee. “It could harm our national security by cutting off important sources of intelligence that protect Americans against terrorist acts.”
“If it’s true, it’d be troubling,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.).
“Giving the Russians intelligence that our counterterrorism partners have asked us to protect is incredibly dangerous,” said Jeremy Bash, the former Pentagon chief of staff under President Obama. “It will ensure that those partners don’t share with us the information we need to protect ourselves.”
“It’s so mind-boggling, I don’t even know what to say,” said Eric Edelman, a former undersecretary of defense during the George W. Bush administration. “I’m completely gobsmacked. It’s jeopardizing a human source. It’s the one thing you’re trained to never do.”
On Capitol Hill, the report of Mr. Trump’s possible disclosure of classified information to the Russia’s top diplomat and its U.S. envoy prompted a chorus of concern from Democrats and Republicans.
A spokesman for House Speaker Paul Ryan (R., Wis.) released a statement calling for a “full explanation of the facts from the administration.”
“We have no way to know what was said, but protecting our nation’s secrets is paramount,” said Mr. Ryan’s spokesman, Doug Andres.
Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chairman Mark Warner (D., Va.) said on Twitter: “If true, this is a slap in the face to the intel community. Risking sources & methods is inexcusable, particularly with the Russians.”
Sen. Patrick Leahy (D., Vt.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said he hadn’t confirmed the veracity of the Post’s report, but told CNN: “You never disclose sources of evidence.”
He continued, “It would be almost inconceivable that any president would allow something of that nature out.”
After the initial revelations, reporters flooded the hallway outside press secretary Sean Spicer’s West Wing office. At one point, Gen. McMaster walked into the scrum and quickly turned back and walked out, joking that the hallway full of reporters was “the last place” he wanted to be.
Ninety minutes after the Post story was published, Dina Powell, deputy national security adviser for strategy—and who also sat in on the meeting with the Russian officials—denied the story on the record. She called the Post’s story “false” and said: “The president only discussed the common threats that both countries faced.”
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson also issued a denial of the Post article.
A spokesman for the Post couldn’t be immediately reached for comment, but one of the Post reporters said in a television interview that the newspaper stood by the article.
—Paul Sonne, Eli Stokols, Rebecca Ballhaus, Louise Radnofsky and Byron Tau contributed to this article.
National Security Adviser Gen. H.R. McMaster briefs press --
McMaster reiterates who was in the room when Trump met with Russians
McMaster said that he was in the room, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was in the room, as was the deputy adviser for national security, Dina Powell.
He said none of them felt that the conversation Trump had with the Russians was inappropriate.
Liberal Wall Street Journal
Trump Shared Intelligence Secrets With Russians in Oval Office Meeting
Intelligence came from close U.S. ally and detailed Islamic State operations; national security adviser issues denial, says ‘I was in the room, it didn’t happen’
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, President Donald Trump and Russian Ambassador to the U.S. Sergei Kislyak in the Oval Office last week. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
By Carol E. Lee and
Shane Harris
Updated May 16, 2017 5:22 a.m. ET4805 COMMENTS
WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump shared sensitive intelligence obtained from a close U.S. ally with Russia’s foreign minister and ambassador in a meeting last week, according to U.S. officials, potentially jeopardizing critical intelligence-sharing agreements in the fight against Islamic State.
Mr. Trump met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Russian Ambassador Sergei Kislyak in the Oval Office the day after firing Federal Bureau of Investigation Director James Comey.
During the meeting with the Russian officials, Mr. Trump mentioned details about Islamic State in a way that revealed enough information for the Russians to potentially compromise the source, according to the officials, who said the intelligence came from the U.S. ally.
According to one U.S. official, the information shared was highly sensitive and difficult to acquire and was considered extraordinarily valuable. The Wall Street Journal agreed not to identify the ally because another U.S. official said it could jeopardize the source.
The Washington Post reported Mr. Trump’s disclosure and said White House officials called the Central Intelligence Agency and National Security Agency to warn of Mr. Trump’s disclosure and its possible consequences.
National Security Adviser Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster said on Tuesday that counterterrorism information that President Trump shared in a meeting with Russians in the Oval Office last week "was wholly appropriate," following reports that the president had revealed sensitive information. Photo: Reuters
The White House denied on Monday that Mr. Trump disclosed any sources and methods of U.S. intelligence services or those of U.S. allies.
“I was in the room. It didn’t happen,” National Security Adviser Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster said in a statement outside the White House.
Gen. McMaster said in his statement that Mr. Trump didn’t divulge intelligence sources, methods or military operations, but he stopped short of denying that the president had shared any intelligence or other secrets with the Russians.
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called the reports “another fake,” without addressing their substance.
“Guys, have you been reading too many American newspapers again? Don’t read them. You can use them in various ways, but don’t read them—recently it is not only harmful, but also dangerous,” she wrote in a message on her Facebook page Tuesday.
It was the latest in a string of controversies, all stemming from investigations into Mr. Trump’s associates and presidential campaign over ties to Russia. Mr. Trump last week fired Mr. Comey, who was heading up the investigation into the ties between Trump associates and Russia and testified about the probe.
RELATED
- Trump Says He Had ‘Absolute Right’ to Share ‘Facts’
- Republican Lawmakers Express Frustration With White House Over Report
- Capital Journal: Stakes Rise as Trump Embraces Controversy
- U.S. Accuses Syria of Mass Executions, Running Crematorium
- Trump Administration Lacks North Korea Experience, Ex-U.S. Diplomat Says
- Washington Wire: Spicer Again Says Trump Has Nothing to Add on ‘Tapes’
- Spies Keep Intelligence From Donald Trump on Leak Concerns (Feb. 16)
The president’s meeting with Messrs. Lavrov and Kislyak came the day after Mr. Comey’s firing. The White House didn’t provide a photograph or detailed readout about the meeting, although a photographer from the Russian news agency, TASS, was in the room and released photographs.
The latest controversy left lawmakers puzzled and pessimistic about Mr. Trump’s administration.
“The White House has got to do something soon to bring itself under control and in order. It’s got to happen,” Sen. Bob Corker (R., Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee said, referring to the string of recent events at the White House. “Obviously they’re in a downward spiral right now and they’ve got to figure out a way to come to grips with all that’s happening.”
Newsletter Sign-up
The latest disclosures stunned Washington’s national-security veterans on both sides of the political divide. Although presidents have the legal right to declassify intelligence as they see fit, doing so can put intelligence sources abroad in danger and make them less willing to work with the U.S., several defense officials said.
“These reports, if true, are of the gravest possible concern,” said Sen. Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat and a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee. “It could harm our national security by cutting off important sources of intelligence that protect Americans against terrorist acts.”
“If it’s true, it’d be troubling,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.).
“Giving the Russians intelligence that our counterterrorism partners have asked us to protect is incredibly dangerous,” said Jeremy Bash, the former Pentagon chief of staff under President Obama. “It will ensure that those partners don’t share with us the information we need to protect ourselves.”
“It’s so mind-boggling, I don’t even know what to say,” said Eric Edelman, a former undersecretary of defense during the George W. Bush administration. “I’m completely gobsmacked. It’s jeopardizing a human source. It’s the one thing you’re trained to never do.”
On Capitol Hill, the report of Mr. Trump’s possible disclosure of classified information to the Russia’s top diplomat and its U.S. envoy prompted a chorus of concern from Democrats and Republicans.
A spokesman for House Speaker Paul Ryan (R., Wis.) released a statement calling for a “full explanation of the facts from the administration.”
“We have no way to know what was said, but protecting our nation’s secrets is paramount,” said Mr. Ryan’s spokesman, Doug Andres.
Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chairman Mark Warner (D., Va.) said on Twitter: “If true, this is a slap in the face to the intel community. Risking sources & methods is inexcusable, particularly with the Russians.”
Sen. Patrick Leahy (D., Vt.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said he hadn’t confirmed the veracity of the Post’s report, but told CNN: “You never disclose sources of evidence.”
He continued, “It would be almost inconceivable that any president would allow something of that nature out.”
After the initial revelations, reporters flooded the hallway outside press secretary Sean Spicer’s West Wing office. At one point, Gen. McMaster walked into the scrum and quickly turned back and walked out, joking that the hallway full of reporters was “the last place” he wanted to be.
Ninety minutes after the Post story was published, Dina Powell, deputy national security adviser for strategy—and who also sat in on the meeting with the Russian officials—denied the story on the record. She called the Post’s story “false” and said: “The president only discussed the common threats that both countries faced.”
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson also issued a denial of the Post article.
A spokesman for the Post couldn’t be immediately reached for comment, but one of the Post reporters said in a television interview that the newspaper stood by the article.
—Paul Sonne, Eli Stokols, Rebecca Ballhaus, Louise Radnofsky and Byron Tau contributed to this article.
National Security Adviser Gen. H.R. McMaster briefs press --
McMaster reiterates who was in the room when Trump met with Russians
McMaster said that he was in the room, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was in the room, as was the deputy adviser for national security, Dina Powell.
He said none of them felt that the conversation Trump had with the Russians was inappropriate.
Trump's conversation with Russians was "wholly appropriate," McMaster says
McMaster was asked if he was denying that the president revealed information that was given to the U.S. by an intelligence partner. McMaster said he won't discuss what is and what isn't classified.
"What I will do is tell you that in the context of that discussions, what the president discussed with the foreign minister is wholly appropriate in that conversation," he said.
McMaster said that he's not going to be the one to confirm information that could "jeopardize our security."
McMaster stands by statement refuting Washington Post story
McMaster was asked if he sticks by his assertion that the Post story that said the president shared classified information with the Russians is "false." He said, "I stand by my statement that I made yesterday."
He said that the premise of the story if "false" and that Trump's conversation with Russian officials last week were not "inappropriate" and didn't result in a lapse of national security.
He said that the "real issue" is that national security has been put at risk those violating confidentiality and those releasing information to the press.
I'm not sure what to believe anymore. IMO Trump's presidency at this point is somewhere between a fail and a disaster. But I trust the media (to tell the truth) even less than him. From Newsweek today:
U.S. Officials ‘Warned Israel’ Not to Share Sensitive Intel With Trump
By Jack Moore On 5/16/17 at 6:05 AM
http://www.newsweek.com/us-officials-warned-israel-not-share-sensitive-intel-trump-609782
U.S. intelligence officials reportedly warned their Israeli counterparts to exert caution in sharing top secret information with Donald Trump’s administration for fear of it being passed to Russia and then to Moscow’s ally and Israel’s arch-enemy, Iran.
Discussions between U.S. and Israeli security services prior to Trump’s inauguration on January 20 gave rise to concerns that sensitive intelligence might exchange hands between him and the Russian government, Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported in January.
The paper published the report amid accusations of links between Trump’s campaign team and the Russian government. Now, just four months into Trump’s presidency, it has emerged that the commander in chief may have divulged highly classified intelligence to the Russian government.
Subscribe to Newsweek from $1 per week
On Monday, the Washington Post, citing officials with knowledge of the matter, reported that Trump boasted about top-secret information in his meeting last week with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Russian ambassador to the U.S. Sergey Kislyak.
Officials said he divulged sensitive information about an Islamic State militant group (ISIS) plot relating to aviation security that a key ally had secured, without the consent of that ally. It raised concerns among security officials that Russia could exploit that intelligence channel and identify the ally and method of intelligence used. Israel reportedly already had these concerns.
According to Yedioth , Israeli intelligence officials feared that its famous Mossad secret service would have its most sensitive methods and operations breached, potentially falling into the hands of the Iranian regime.
Fears reportedly surfaced after U.S. intelligence officials told their Israeli counterparts that it had credible information that Russian elements hacked the Democratic National Party servers to damage Hillary Clinton before Trump’s victory.
U.S. officials implied that Israel “be careful” of passing top-secret information to Washington from January 20 onwards until alleged ties between Trump and Russia were disproved. The implication was that Israeli information, which had been discreetly shared with trust for years, could reach Tehran and harm Israeli national security.
An Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson declined to comment to Newsweek . A representative in the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was not immediately available for comment.
Read more: Donald Trump gave ISIS secrets to Russian ambassador and Foreign Secretary
Iran regularly threatens to destroy Israel and the security services of both countries work to target and limit the other around the world. Iran is working with Russia in Syria, offering ground forces and strategic assets to the Syrian government in the six-year-long civil war.
Whether the report is accurate or not, analysts are clear that the disclosure of Trump’s intelligence slip to the Russians will cause further damage for U.S. intelligence partnerships around the world, where concerns were already present.
“I think very basically I just think it’s going to impact trust issues that have already been negatively affected by Trump,” says Miriam Goldman, analyst at Middle East-based security consultancy LeBec International. “I think there’s going to be a lot of internal questioning about whether or not sharing information with the U.S. can continue.”
Netanyahu and Trump U.S. President Donald Trump (R) and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) shake hands following a joint news conference at the East Room of the White House February 15, 2017 in Washington, DC. U.S. intelligence officials reportedly told their Israeli counterparts not to share sensitive intelligence with Trump over concerns of that intelligence exchanging hands with rival powers. Win McNamee/Getty
As president, Trump is permitted to choose who he discloses classified information to and any such disclosure would not have broken U.S. law. But Democrat senators, such as Mark Warner of Virginia, have warned that—if the Post ’s report is confirmed—it would mean top secret information was delivered to a government accused of interfering in the U.S. presidential election, one which has competing aims in the Syrian conflict, where it props up the regime of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad. The officials also reported that Trump had informed Russia of the intelligence ahead of key allies.
Trump’s National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster addressed the matter late Wednesday, saying the president did not reveal any military operations that were not already known.
“I was in the room—it didn’t happen,” he said.
“At no time — at no time — were intelligence sources or methods discussed, and the president did not disclose any military operations that were not already publicly known.”
He did not comment the claim that Trump had discussed the ISIS plot with the top Russian officials.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson made a similar denial to that of McMaster but admitted that Trump discussed “the nature of specific threats” with Lavrov and Kislyak.
It highlighted concerns among senators and commentators about the apparent lack of discipline of Trump to withhold top-level intelligence. “The White House has got to do something soon to bring itself under control and in order. It’s got to happen,” Senator Bob Corker, Republican of Tennessee and the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, told reporters in Washington D.C. on Wednesday, the New York Times reported.
“To compromise a source is something that you just don’t do, and that’s why we keep the information that we get from intelligence sources so close as to prevent that from happening,” he added.
U.S. Officials ‘Warned Israel’ Not to Share Sensitive Intel With Trump
By Jack Moore On 5/16/17 at 6:05 AM
http://www.newsweek.com/us-officials-warned-israel-not-share-sensitive-intel-trump-609782
U.S. intelligence officials reportedly warned their Israeli counterparts to exert caution in sharing top secret information with Donald Trump’s administration for fear of it being passed to Russia and then to Moscow’s ally and Israel’s arch-enemy, Iran.
Discussions between U.S. and Israeli security services prior to Trump’s inauguration on January 20 gave rise to concerns that sensitive intelligence might exchange hands between him and the Russian government, Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported in January.
The paper published the report amid accusations of links between Trump’s campaign team and the Russian government. Now, just four months into Trump’s presidency, it has emerged that the commander in chief may have divulged highly classified intelligence to the Russian government.
Subscribe to Newsweek from $1 per week
On Monday, the Washington Post, citing officials with knowledge of the matter, reported that Trump boasted about top-secret information in his meeting last week with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Russian ambassador to the U.S. Sergey Kislyak.
Officials said he divulged sensitive information about an Islamic State militant group (ISIS) plot relating to aviation security that a key ally had secured, without the consent of that ally. It raised concerns among security officials that Russia could exploit that intelligence channel and identify the ally and method of intelligence used. Israel reportedly already had these concerns.
According to Yedioth , Israeli intelligence officials feared that its famous Mossad secret service would have its most sensitive methods and operations breached, potentially falling into the hands of the Iranian regime.
Fears reportedly surfaced after U.S. intelligence officials told their Israeli counterparts that it had credible information that Russian elements hacked the Democratic National Party servers to damage Hillary Clinton before Trump’s victory.
U.S. officials implied that Israel “be careful” of passing top-secret information to Washington from January 20 onwards until alleged ties between Trump and Russia were disproved. The implication was that Israeli information, which had been discreetly shared with trust for years, could reach Tehran and harm Israeli national security.
An Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson declined to comment to Newsweek . A representative in the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was not immediately available for comment.
Read more: Donald Trump gave ISIS secrets to Russian ambassador and Foreign Secretary
Iran regularly threatens to destroy Israel and the security services of both countries work to target and limit the other around the world. Iran is working with Russia in Syria, offering ground forces and strategic assets to the Syrian government in the six-year-long civil war.
Whether the report is accurate or not, analysts are clear that the disclosure of Trump’s intelligence slip to the Russians will cause further damage for U.S. intelligence partnerships around the world, where concerns were already present.
“I think very basically I just think it’s going to impact trust issues that have already been negatively affected by Trump,” says Miriam Goldman, analyst at Middle East-based security consultancy LeBec International. “I think there’s going to be a lot of internal questioning about whether or not sharing information with the U.S. can continue.”
Netanyahu and Trump U.S. President Donald Trump (R) and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) shake hands following a joint news conference at the East Room of the White House February 15, 2017 in Washington, DC. U.S. intelligence officials reportedly told their Israeli counterparts not to share sensitive intelligence with Trump over concerns of that intelligence exchanging hands with rival powers. Win McNamee/Getty
As president, Trump is permitted to choose who he discloses classified information to and any such disclosure would not have broken U.S. law. But Democrat senators, such as Mark Warner of Virginia, have warned that—if the Post ’s report is confirmed—it would mean top secret information was delivered to a government accused of interfering in the U.S. presidential election, one which has competing aims in the Syrian conflict, where it props up the regime of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad. The officials also reported that Trump had informed Russia of the intelligence ahead of key allies.
Trump’s National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster addressed the matter late Wednesday, saying the president did not reveal any military operations that were not already known.
“I was in the room—it didn’t happen,” he said.
“At no time — at no time — were intelligence sources or methods discussed, and the president did not disclose any military operations that were not already publicly known.”
He did not comment the claim that Trump had discussed the ISIS plot with the top Russian officials.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson made a similar denial to that of McMaster but admitted that Trump discussed “the nature of specific threats” with Lavrov and Kislyak.
It highlighted concerns among senators and commentators about the apparent lack of discipline of Trump to withhold top-level intelligence. “The White House has got to do something soon to bring itself under control and in order. It’s got to happen,” Senator Bob Corker, Republican of Tennessee and the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, told reporters in Washington D.C. on Wednesday, the New York Times reported.
“To compromise a source is something that you just don’t do, and that’s why we keep the information that we get from intelligence sources so close as to prevent that from happening,” he added.
‘Reading US papers is dangerous’: Moscow ridicules report that Trump shared secrets with Russian FM
Published time: 16 May, 2017 17:24
Reading US papers has become dangerous, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova warned as she dismissed media claims that Donald Trump had handed classified data over to Russia during his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
A report published by the Washington Post on Monday claimed that Trump had “revealed highly classified information to the Russian foreign minister (Sergey Lavrov) and ambassador in a White House meeting” on May 10. The data was reportedly not authorized to be shared with US allies, or even much of the US government.
The paper cited unnamed current and former US officials who said that the alleged disclosures had “jeopardized a critical source of intelligence on Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISlL).”
“Have you guys been reading American newspapers again? Don’t read them,” Zakharova, wrote on Facebook.
“
They (the US papers) can be used in many different ways, but one’s shouldn’t read them – recently it has become not only harmful, but dangerous,” she added.
Zakharova reminded her followers that, shortly after the meeting in Washington, she had “warned that, in a couple of days, the US media was apparently planning to release a ‘sensation’ regarding Lavrov’s meeting with Trump.”
“But the idea included spicing it up with ‘secret’ photos from the meeting to give this yet another fake validity and credibility. But we ruined that part of the information campaign by publishing photos the way it should be done, in accordance with professional ethics,” she wrote.
Published time: 16 May, 2017 17:24
Reading US papers has become dangerous, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova warned as she dismissed media claims that Donald Trump had handed classified data over to Russia during his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
A report published by the Washington Post on Monday claimed that Trump had “revealed highly classified information to the Russian foreign minister (Sergey Lavrov) and ambassador in a White House meeting” on May 10. The data was reportedly not authorized to be shared with US allies, or even much of the US government.
The paper cited unnamed current and former US officials who said that the alleged disclosures had “jeopardized a critical source of intelligence on Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISlL).”
“Have you guys been reading American newspapers again? Don’t read them,” Zakharova, wrote on Facebook.
“
They (the US papers) can be used in many different ways, but one’s shouldn’t read them – recently it has become not only harmful, but dangerous,” she added.
Zakharova reminded her followers that, shortly after the meeting in Washington, she had “warned that, in a couple of days, the US media was apparently planning to release a ‘sensation’ regarding Lavrov’s meeting with Trump.”
“But the idea included spicing it up with ‘secret’ photos from the meeting to give this yet another fake validity and credibility. But we ruined that part of the information campaign by publishing photos the way it should be done, in accordance with professional ethics,” she wrote.
[FONT="]The presence of a Russia photographer from TASS at the White House meeting also provoked a range of conspiracy theories in the US media, with some reports even suggesting he could have planted a spying device in the Oval Office.
[/FONT][FONT="]In a separate comment to Kommersant FM radio, Zakharova called the Washington Post report part of a coordinated effort to influence the Trump administration.[/FONT]
[FONT="]“This is another attempt to exert pressure on the new US administration and make deals related to various political appointments and lobbying. We can’t even say now that the media are biased, because they are openly carrying out a political order,” she said.
[/FONT]
[FONT="]Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the allegations claiming that Trump had shared classified information with Russia weren’t even worth discussing.
[/FONT]
[FONT="]“This is not a topic for us. It’s nonsense. We do not want to have anything to do with this nonsense. This is utter nonsense, and it is not something to either confirm or deny,” Peskov said.
[/FONT]
[FONT="]Various officials from the Trump administration have also denied the Washington Post report, with National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster calling it “false.”
[/FONT]
[FONT="]Trump took to Twitter on Tuesday to say that he had an “absolute right” to discuss “facts” related to airline safety and terrorism with Russia during last week’s meeting.
[/FONT]
[FONT="]He stressed that the talks with Russia’s Foreign Minister and ambassador were “openly scheduled,” adding that he wanted Russia to “greatly step up their fight” against Islamic State (formerly ISIS/ISIL).
[/FONT]
[FONT="]Trump has been repeatedly accused of having secret ties to Russia that allegedly helped him beat Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton in the presidential election.
[/FONT]
[FONT="]The claims, which have been vigorously denied by his administration, are currently the subject of a Senate investigation.
[/FONT]
[FONT="]Last week, Trump fired FBI Director James Comey, who had been leading an investigation into alleged collusion between Trump’s advisers and Russian officials. Comey’s ouster has prompted an outcry from the president’s critics.[/FONT]
[/FONT][FONT="]In a separate comment to Kommersant FM radio, Zakharova called the Washington Post report part of a coordinated effort to influence the Trump administration.[/FONT]
[FONT="]“This is another attempt to exert pressure on the new US administration and make deals related to various political appointments and lobbying. We can’t even say now that the media are biased, because they are openly carrying out a political order,” she said.
[/FONT]
[FONT="]Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the allegations claiming that Trump had shared classified information with Russia weren’t even worth discussing.
[/FONT]
[FONT="]“This is not a topic for us. It’s nonsense. We do not want to have anything to do with this nonsense. This is utter nonsense, and it is not something to either confirm or deny,” Peskov said.
[/FONT]
[FONT="]Various officials from the Trump administration have also denied the Washington Post report, with National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster calling it “false.”
[/FONT]
[FONT="]Trump took to Twitter on Tuesday to say that he had an “absolute right” to discuss “facts” related to airline safety and terrorism with Russia during last week’s meeting.
[/FONT]
[FONT="]He stressed that the talks with Russia’s Foreign Minister and ambassador were “openly scheduled,” adding that he wanted Russia to “greatly step up their fight” against Islamic State (formerly ISIS/ISIL).
[/FONT]
[FONT="]Trump has been repeatedly accused of having secret ties to Russia that allegedly helped him beat Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton in the presidential election.
[/FONT]
[FONT="]The claims, which have been vigorously denied by his administration, are currently the subject of a Senate investigation.
[/FONT]
[FONT="]Last week, Trump fired FBI Director James Comey, who had been leading an investigation into alleged collusion between Trump’s advisers and Russian officials. Comey’s ouster has prompted an outcry from the president’s critics.[/FONT]
Trump said he "had the absolute right" to tell the Russians "acts pertaining to terrorism and airline safety".
As Steven Aftergood, a government secrecy specialist with the Federation of American Scientists, told the New York Times: "It is an expression of presidential authority, and that means that the president and his designees decide what is classified, and they have the essentially unlimited authority to declassify at will."
As Steven Aftergood, a government secrecy specialist with the Federation of American Scientists, told the New York Times: "It is an expression of presidential authority, and that means that the president and his designees decide what is classified, and they have the essentially unlimited authority to declassify at will."
"A former senior Defense Department official in the George W. Bush administration emailed, simply, 'WTF!!!!!!!'"
Trump's handling of classified info brings new chaos to White Housepolitico.com
Trump's handling of classified info brings new chaos to White Housepolitico.com
Trump said he "had the absolute right" to tell the Russians "acts pertaining to terrorism and airline safety".
As Steven Aftergood, a government secrecy specialist with the Federation of American Scientists, told the New York Times: "It is an expression of presidential authority, and that means that the president and his designees decide what is classified, and they have the essentially unlimited authority to declassify at will."
[FONT="]As president, [/FONT]Donald Trump[FONT="] can legally share classified information when he wants.[/FONT]
Donald J. TrumpVerified account @realDonaldTrump 9hMore
As President I wanted to share with Russia (at an openly scheduled W.H. meeting) which I have the absolute right to do, facts pertaining....
but the leaker can't
PS: and the SoS can't do everything she did with classified information either
I laugh everyday at the Libtard loony left and how their lives have become unglued. I'm waiting on the next SC justice on the left to leave so we can continue on what's most important, stacking the SC with Conservatives and then over the next four years stacking courts across the country with them as well.
