Trump quipped about ‘putting reporters in jail’ in conversation with Comey

President Trump and former FBI Director James Comey discussed during a meeting last year whether jailing reporters would be an effective way to stop staffers from leaking information, Comey wrote in a memo released Thursday. 

In a memo dated Feb. 19, 2017, Comey recounted that Trump shared concerns about leaks from within his administration. The president suggested jailing reporters “to find out what they know.”

Comey said he agreed that leaks, particularly from within the FBI, were harmful to the bureau’s mission.

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He told Trump he was “eager to find leakers and would like to nail one to the door as a message,” but explained that prosecuting reporters was “tricky.”

“I said something about the value of putting a head on a pike as a message,” Comey wrote.

“(Trump) replied by saying it may involve putting reporters in jail. ‘They spend a couple days in jail, make a new friend, and they are ready to talk.’ I laughed as I walked to the door Reince Priebus had opened,” Comey wrote.

Comey: “I said something about the value of putting a head on a pike as a message. He replied by saying it may involve putting reporters in jail.” pic.twitter.com/kb5npUs8Bj

— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) April 20, 2018

The Justice Department on Thursday night sent lawmakers multiple memos that Comey authored after his meetings with Trump. Comey was fired last May. 

Trump has had a combative relationship with the media since he took office. He frequently attacks outlets like The New York Times, The Washington Post and CNN, labeling them “fake news” and questioning their reporting on Twitter.

Trump has also taken a harsh stance toward those who leak information. Such breaches have plagued his administration since he took office.