Leon Panetta: White House leaks are ‘dangerous’

Former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta warned Sunday that individuals leaking classified information from within the White House walls or other federal agencies are not being “helpful in any way.”

“I don’t think these leaks are helpful in any way,” Panetta said on “Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo.” “I think they’re dangerous, particularly when they involve classified information.”

{mosads}Panetta recommended stanching the leaks by creating a sense of unity and purpose among White House staffers, so they feel their service and work are of value.  

“The key to preventing leaks is to create a sense of teamwork within the White House, within the staff so that they feel loyalty to the United States,” he told Bartiromo in part. “It is about time they get a handle on the various departments and agencies that are out there. But you can’t do it unless you get your personnel in place and that’s been a real problem with this administration in terms of getting their personnel in place to be able to handle policy. Every administration goes through this.” 

The leaks, pouring out to the press from high levels of the government, have become a central issue as they show no signs of stopping. Transcripts of the president’s calls with world leaders leaked last week.

Administration officials and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle speak out about the security risks that illegal information-sharing could pose.

The ongoing fight to stop the leaking, however, has recently coincided with several top White House staff departures, including the person tasked with managing the White House staff.

Trump recently tapped his Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly to serve as White House chief of staff after Reince Priebus was ousted.

Panetta once stood in Kelly’s shoes. In 1994, one year into his term, President Clinton tapped Panetta to serve as his chief of staff and bring order to the West Wing. Panetta served as the head of White House senior staff for three years.

The two Defense officials have also worked closely together. As President Obama’s Defense secretary, Panetta said he got to know Kelly, a retired Marine general, who he appointed as his chief military aide.

Panetta has expressed confidence in Kelly’s ability to create order and effectively combat leaks.