Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche issued a stark warning Tuesday, stating that reporters who obtain classified information from sources will face subpoenas. In a post on X, Blanche declared that prosecuting leakers who share national secrets with the media is a top priority for the administration, as such actions jeopardize national security and the lives of soldiers. He emphasized that any witness, including journalists, who possesses information about these criminal leaks should expect to receive a subpoena.
Background of the Warning
Blanche's statement came one day after the Wall Street Journal reported that President Donald Trump had complained to him about media leaks following the onset of the Iran conflict. Blanche subsequently promised to subpoena the records of reporters involved in national security stories.
White House Alignment
The acting attorney general's remarks mirror a warning from White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, who told staff that unauthorized leaks will not be tolerated. In a leaked email obtained by Politico, Wiles cautioned that leaks can cause significant disruption to ongoing operations and potentially endanger missions and activities of national significance.
