Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) this week blasted Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ announcement that the Department of Justice is considering stricter measures to prevent leaks, saying the leaks would stop if there were no “lies, crimes and stupid stuff.”
“Dear Lyin Sessions: Leaks are interesting if they expose lies, crimes & stupid stuff,” Lieu tweeted Friday. “Stop the lies, crimes & stupid stuff and leaks go away.”
{mosads}Sessions announced Friday that the Justice Department would review its policies on subpoenaing journalists that published leaked information, and direct more resources toward finding and prosecuting leakers.
“We respect the important role the press plays and we’ll give them respect, but it’s not unlimited,” Sessions said. “They cannot place lives at risk with impunity. We must balance the press’ 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.”
Sessions said there has been “dramatic growth” in the number of leaks since President Trump took office in January and issued a warning again potential leakers in the federal government.
“I have this message for our friends in the intelligence community: The Justice Department is open for business,” Sessions said. “And I have this warning for potential leakers: Don’t do it.”
Sessions’ announcement drew sharp criticism from members of the media. NBC’s Chuck Todd said he would ignore any subpoena issued to him in an investigation of leaks.
“If DoJ media source threat is real (I assume it’s not; just a show presser to please WH) then I look forward to ignoring that subpoena,” the host of “Meet the Press” tweeted Friday.
The Justice Department announcement follows the leak of transcripts of two calls between Trump and two foreign leaders, Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.