Posted on 08/04/2017 11:59:33 AM PDT by advance_copy
WASHINGTON, DC — As leaks of classified and otherwise sensitive information pour from all corners of the federal government, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced Friday that he may crack down on the members of the media who report these stories — despite widespread acceptance of the idea that the First Amendment offers broad protections to the press on this front.
“We respect the important role that the press plays," Sessions said at a morning press conference. "And we'll give them respect, but it is not unlimited."
He did not say specifically what changes he was pursuing, though the department will be reexamining its policy for subpoenaing members of the media. He continued: "They cannot place lives at risk with impunity. We must balance the press’s role with protecting our national security and the lives of those who serve in the intelligence community, the armed forces and all law-abiding Americans."
News agencies will frequently contact the government when they obtain classified information, and they often honor credible requests to hold back certain pieces of information for reasons of national security. For example, when multiple outlets reported that President Trump revealed highly sensitive and classified intel about an Israeli informant with ISIS to the Russian, reporters did not include in their stories the spy's location. Doing so, the government said, could endanger this source of intelligence.
Sessions took no questions at the press conference.
The Department of Justice has increased its investigation of leaks since Trump took office, the attorney general said. He gave a simple warning to those looking to reveal classified information: "Don't do it."
On Thursday, the Washington Post published transcripts of the president's conversations with two world leaders. Even many critics of the administration expressed concerns about this leak and its potential to undermine the diplomatic relationships.
During his time in the White House, President Obama faced criticism for what many saw as an overly aggressive prosecution of leakers.
Sessions won’t play the medias’ game. “No questions were taken”.
What’s the difference between WP and Wikileaks and Edward Snowden?
Did the author forget the fox reporters harassed by the brown bomber’s DOJ over their source?
I’m not holding my breath.
I like your response better than Sessions'.
That’s fine. The press will claim first amendment priveledge. The court will find contempt. They will spend time in jail and become the cause Celebrex....to wit Judith Miller
If you are watching Sheppard Smith, you are watching MSNBC on Fox.
harassed by the brown bomber’s DOJ over their source?...
Are you referring to the brown clown? :>)
“What’s the difference between WP and Wikileaks and Edward Snowden?”
Wikileaks and Snowden are honest.
Throw them in jail for being COMPLICIT in the crime of revealing classified information.
Sessions said “Don’t do it.” - that should work.
I think he said he started it several months ago. He probably just announced it now because things have been getting out of hand, and people are claiming he’s not doing anything because he doesn’t announce his every move.
Snowden and Wikileaks exposed criminal activity. They did not expose classified information for personal gain (money, TV ratings).
That is the difference.
But that did not stop people at the Washington Post from wanting them prosecuted.
Wikileaks and Snowden are who they will be going after.; The WP, like Hillary Clinton will skate.
Let’s stop pretending these are reporters and start calling them what they really are: spies. Enemy spies.
We’re six months into his term as AG and not one high-level person has done a perp walk, even though the public record contains more than enough information to convict dozens if not hundreds or even thousands of them.
Put them in jail until they talk.
—Sessions MAY Force Reporters To Reveal Sources Of Leaks—
MAY??? That’s as much as we get? MAY?? Nothing there!
Trump didn’t say “I MAY keep my promises”... there isn’t any MAY/perhaps in his plans.
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