White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders criticized the leaks coming from her own staff in a Wednesday morning interview on Fox and Friends.
“I think it is disgusting and some of the most shameful behavior that you could ever engage. In it’s an honor and privilege to work for the president and to be part of his administration. Anybody who betrays that, I think is a total and complete coward and they should be fired,” Sanders declared.
The press secretary did not let up, adding “we fired people over leaking before. I have personally fired people over leaking before. And we certainly would be very willing to do so again.” Sanders was pressed over the leak of an internal communications staff meeting in which White House aide Kelly Sadler made a disparaging remark about Arizona Sen. John McCain.
The remark drew widespread outrage and cable TV coverage. Sadler called the McCain family to apologize but has not offered a public apology. She remains employed at the White House.
Sanders speculated as to the motivation of some leaks, saying “some of these leaks are made up and reporters search for validation for them. Look, there is definitely something that has to be addressed. We are focused intensely on addressing it. And we take an extremely seriously. As I just said, I can’t answer why people do it because I don’t engage in it because I find it to be some of the most disgusting behavior that you could ever participate in.”