Democratic senators blasted President Donald Trump Monday, saying they are shocked and concerned amid reports he revealed highly classified information to the Russian ambassador and foreign minister.
Trump reportedly divulged intelligence information on the Islamic State during a May 10 meeting in the oval office, The Washington Post first reported.
Top Democrats said, if the reports are true, the president acted irresponsibly and put the country’s safety at risk.
“Well, I think it is absolutely outrageous and frightening,” Democratic Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders told The Daily Caller News Foundation.
Democratic Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal echoed Sanders’ concerns, adding he believes an investigation should be launched into the matter if the reports are confirmed.
“I have no independent knowledge, but the report is pretty terrifying. If true, it’s astonishing and appalling and should be investigated,” he told reporters. “It is astonishing and absolutely surprising — I would never have imagined the chief executive of our great nation undertaking that kind of disclosure.”
Democratic Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen insinuated Trump was being hypocritical in condemning individuals who leaked information in the past.
“It’s very dangerous whenever you’re compromising sources the way he did — it helps our enemies and hurts our friends when you compromise sources as he apparently did,” he said. “I think that it was President Trump who not that long ago tweeted, ‘We need to track down every leaker.’ We now find out the leaker is the commander in chief. Look, it’s dangerous because it reveals important information to our enemies.” (RELATED: King Calls Trump-Russia Connections ‘Desperate Attacks’)
The disclosed information was reportedly obtained through an intelligence-sharing arrangement with a U.S. partner.
The White House has pushed back on the claim. “At no time were any intelligence sources or methods discussed,” National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster told WaPo.
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