Washington (TDI): US President Donald Trump’s frustration over media leaks related to the Iran war has led to an intensified investigation by the Justice Department, according to a report published by The Wall Street Journal.
The report, citing unnamed sources, said Trump privately raised concerns with acting Attorney General Todd Blanche over news stories that revealed details about internal discussions surrounding the conflict with Iran.
According to the report, Blanche assured the president that the Justice Department would aggressively pursue leak investigations, including the possibility of issuing subpoenas involving journalists connected to sensitive national security reporting.
Sources said Trump, during one meeting, handed Blanche a collection of articles he considered harmful to national security, with a note reportedly labeling the leaks as “treason.”
The report also stated that senior officials from both the Justice Department and the Pentagon have been involved in discussions about the investigations.
Trump is said to be particularly angered by reports describing how he made the decision to launch military action and what advice he received from his senior advisers during that period.
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Responding to the report, a Justice Department spokesperson said the department follows legal procedures and examines evidence in all cases involving potential crimes against the United States.
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According to The Wall Street Journal, the administration had already begun increasing scrutiny of national security leaks connected to reporting on events leading up to the Iran conflict, but the president’s recent complaints accelerated those efforts.
