Posted on 02/26/2017 12:41:03 PM PST by Pinkbell
White House press secretary Sean Spicer is reportedly ramping up security measures to try to prevent leaks. The effort includes checks of both government-issued and personal electronic devices for White House staffers, according to Politico.
Politico reported that details of a meeting with several of Spicer's communications staffers had been leaked.
He reportedly assembled the group in his office, where he conducted the phone checks, monitored by White House attorneys, and discussed his frustrations with the leaks that have been revealed in news reports.
He also warned his staffers about leaking the details of the phone checks and new security measures.
During the same meeting, Spicer chided his staff for using encrypted messaging apps, such as Confide and Signal, that automatically delete messages and violate the Federal Records Act, according to the report.
(Excerpt) Read more at msn.com ...
Assuming this is not fake news, this tells us that it's likely not just Obama holdovers in security and intelligence positions leaking this stuff. This is either a person or people in house. That makes sense because some of those drafts of executive orders that have been leaked or some of those "palace intrigue" stories had to have been leaked or made up from within.
Let's say this is true. Spicer has a list of all the people at this meeting. Barring the fact the room was bugged, it was one of the people in the room. This narrows down at least one source of leaks. Feed each of these people some different information that the media would report and see what makes it out and what doesn't.
Having warned the staff not to leak the story of the phone checking and leak-hunting.... the staff has leaked this to The Hill. Firings to commence.
Spicer is exactly correct— no snapchat, or instant erase messaging should be occurring under the Federal Records retention Act. They can be fired for this. One has to wonder why the hell the idiots are leaking— because unless they are being PAID big bucks— it really is foolish.
Encrypted messaging apps are illegal to use for ANY government communication, whether on a govt provided device, or a personal device.
Unless provided by the US Government.
What the HELL are these people doing working at the White House?!?!
What if Spicer is the leaker?
How many times will conservatives be fooled by someone who talks a good game?
No intimate member of the GOP-E should be trusted.
I’ve asked time and again why bits of info 1, 2, 3 and 4 where 1, 2 and 3 are false aren’t given to staffers A, B, C and D.
If and when A, B, C and/or D are discovered to have leaked information that only they were provided with, they would be bang to rights along with anyone they took into their confidence or leaked to.
The use of false stories would also protect the WH from any damaging revelations and might also give them the ideal pretext to slam the media for their reliance on leaks.
In short, you can’t scare the anonymous leakers but you CAN expose them.
“In short, you can’t scare the anonymous leakers but you CAN expose them.”
And why would you want to scare them anyway? They would just stop for a while and then start up again. Better to get rid of the bad apples.
It brings to mind what are they using it for? If they are using it to funnel classified info to the MSM, that’s horrific.
“reported that details of a meeting with several of Spicer’s communications staffers had been leaked.”
If any are Obama people they should be immediately fired. Did we have an election or not?
Keep the press out of th WH and don’t allow them free access.
“Spicer chided his staff for using encrypted messaging apps, such as Confide and Signal, that automatically delete messages and violate the Federal Records Act”
That’s a spy and should be fired on the spot if that device was brought into the White House.
“Spicer is exactly correct— no snapchat, or instant erase messaging should be occurring under the Federal Records retention Act. They can be fired for this. “
Well, the article said he chided them.
Ban personal phones, issue company non-smart phones that they leave at the end of the day.
the news about the phone checks to prevent leaks leaked.
They have to replace all the newly installed computer system
They get an office phone at their desk. Everything else is jammed/confiscated
Yeah, the irony right. Spicer knows who was in that meeting, so it’s just a process of elimination now.
If they are leaking, though, then they probably are talking to the media outside of work. They probably wait until they get home and call - might even use a burner phone.
Let me guess who that might be.
Melissa McCarthy?
I read a story this week that Trump was doing just this. But if the trap isn’t sprung quickly, it’s likely a member of the inner circle. Administrations are usually a mix of the trusted campaign staffers and party professionals. I’d be looking at the latter category. Probably somebody with ties to the Bush-clan.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.