Sessions Announces Leaks Crackdown, Including Media Subpoenas

Courtesy of ABC News (Youtube)

Attorney General Jeff Sessions and top intelligence officials held a press conference today outlining the steps the Department of Justice is taking to stop the flood of leaks coming from inside the United States government.

Sessions said that officials are already tracking down and prosecuting suspected sources of the leaks. Four leakers have already been prosecuted by the Justice Department. However, Sessions also announced that his office is “reviewing policies affecting media subpoenas.” This announcement comes after Sessions consulted top FBI officials, investigators, and prosecutors. He did not elaborate on what steps may be taken towards the media, but stated:

“We respect the important role that the press plays, and we’ll give them respect, but it is not unlimited. They cannot place lives at risk with impunity. We must balance the press’s 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.”

Sessions is taking a hard stand against what he calls a “culture of leaks” that has surrounded the government since President Trump took office. He ensured that any leakers will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law saying, “The Department of Justice is open for business, and I have this warning for would-be leakers: Don’t do it.”