House Speaker Paul Ryan drew a line regarding the leaking of intelligence information, defending the media, saying the problem was "the leaker, not the journalist," The Hill reported Friday.
"Leaks are concerning because leaks can often compromise national security, but that's the problem of the leaker not the journalist," Ryan told a group in Muskego, Wis., Friday afternoon.
Ryan's comment came following Attorney General Jeff Sessions' announcement Friday of a government-wide crackdown on leakers and a review of the Department of Justice's policies on subpoenas for media outlets that publish sensitive national security information.
"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."
"I have this message for the intelligence community: The Department of Justice is open for business," he added. "And I have this warning for would-be leakers: Don't do it."
The issue gained bipartisan support following the leak of transcripts of phone calls President Donald Trump had with leaders of Mexico and Australia. The Washington Post published the full transcripts of the phone calls on Thursday, a move that was condemned by both parties.
The publication of the transcripts prompted Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, to call on Congress to probe the leaks, saying, "Whether that is Intel or Judicial (committees) looking into it, somebody ought to."
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