Pres. Trump Tweets About Accusations Of Sharing Classified Info With Russia
WASHINGTON (WJZ/AP) — While House Speaker Paul Ryan and others are calling for President Donald Trump to report to Congress about what he said during a private meeting with Russian officials last week, the president is tweeting about the meeting.
He defended his right to share "facts pertaining to terrorism" and airline safety with Russia. The tweets did not say whether he revealed classified information about the Islamic State group.
The Washington Post, the outlet that broke the story Thursday, reports that the information shared was "provided by a U.S. partner through an intelligence-sharing arrangement considered so sensitive that details have been withheld from allies and tightly restricted even within the U.S. government."
Despite White House denials, sources tell CBS News "something inappropriate" was discussed. The incident was so serious that White House officials reportedly rushed to warn the CIA and NSA to contain the damage, according to CBS News correspondent Jeff Pegues.
National Security Adviser Gen. H.R.. McMaster briefed the White House press corps Tuesday instead of spokesman Sean Spicer.
He reiterated statements he made on Monday that the story was "false."
Speaker Ryan spokesman Doug Andres says Ryan "hopes for a full explanation of the facts from the administration."
Maryland's representatives have also been sounding off about the reports, on social media and elsewhere.
"Each time I think the President cannot jeopardize American security any further or take his reckless ineptitude to new heights, I am quickly proven wrong," said House Democratic Whip Rep. Steny Hoyer.
"With these latest reports of the disclosure of highly sensitive classified intelligence, the President has once again demonstrated minimal regard for the security of the United States and the men and women who defend it. If these allegations are true, this is the height of dangerous carelessness, and I would hope that my Republican colleagues would stand up and declare that enough is enough."
Other lawmakers from Maryland have let their feelings about the reports known on social media:
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