In Tuesday's press briefing, press secretary Sean Spicer referenced President Trump’s “real concern” that “security secrets are leaking out,” possibly signaling trouble for Gen. David Petraeus' chances of securing the national security adviser position left vacant after Gen. Michael Flynn's departure.
“We have an issue where classified information, of which this would be, is handled in such a way that it is being given out,” Spicer told reporters. In 2012, Petraeus resigned as CIA director following his admission of an extramarital affair with his biographer while a U.S. Army general. He eventually pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor charge of mishandling classified information.
“The amount of leaks that are coming out of people that are entrusted with national security secrets and classified information are leaking it out,” Spicer said, “[are] a real concern for this president.”
When Trump is “talking on the phone with a world leader, that when he's making key decisions that are in the interest of protecting this country, that we have to wonder whether or not people who work for our government, who are entrusted with classified information and decision-based materials are leaking that information out,” the president’s top spokesman stressed.
The downplaying of Petraeus as a possible head of the National Security Council comes at a time speculation is mounting that President Trump will turn to retired Vice Adm. Robert Harward to succeed Flynn. Harward formerly served as the No. 2 officer at Central Command under Gen. James Mattis.
John Gizzi is chief political columnist and White House correspondent for Newsmax. For more of his reports, Go Here Now.