Republicans are urging Trump to investigate leaks before they irreparably damage foreign relations

Congressional Republicans think perhaps President Trump should consider a major investigation into the steady stream of leaks trickling out of his own administration. In a Politico report published Friday, several Republican senators cited concerns about how leaks surrounding Trump's calls with foreign leaders could cause problems going forward. "Whatever has happened here, we need to repair it, because it will be difficult for other leaders to feel comfortable talking to the president and vice versa," said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.). While the president will "find his footing in terms of how to engage people," Graham said issues will keep popping up if "people on both ends of the phone never know if they can speak candidly."
Recently, leaked details included that Trump's phone call with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull ended early after Trump declared it the "worst call by far" and deemed a refugee deal established under the Obama administration "dumb." During a phone call with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto, Trump threatened to send the U.S. military to deal with the "bad hombres down there" because Mexico's military is apparently too "scared" to do so. Then on Thursday, reports surfaced that Trump paused his phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin because he had to ask advisers to define the New START nuclear arms treaty — the nuclear reduction treaty established between the U.S. and Russia in 2010 — before he went on to criticize it.
Graham isn't the only one worried about the leaks. Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.), who chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee, told Politico this "affects the candidness of the president with foreign governments," as well as leaders' "ability to achieve the right type of policy." Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) said leaks make "something small big." "I think you need to find out who's leaking this," said Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chair of the Senate Homeland Security Committee. "It's not helpful. It's very damaging."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
For more on the story, head over to Politico.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
July 6 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Sunday’s political cartoons include paying for school lunch by enlisting, and the banality of evil
-
5 biting editorial cartoons about 'Alligator Alcatraz'
Cartoons Artists take on dangerous green things, historical precedent, and more
-
A journey into the deep past on beautiful Arran
The Week Recommends New Unesco Global Geopark played a 'key role' in the birth of modern geological science
-
Judge blocks Trump's asylum ban at US border
Speed Read The president violated federal law by shutting down the US-Mexico border to asylum seekers, said the ruling
-
Thai court suspends prime minister over leaked call
Speed Read Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been suspended, pending an ethics investigation
-
Senate passes GOP megabill after Alaska side deal
The pivotal yes vote came from Sen. Lisa Murkowski, whose support was secured following negotiated side deals for her home state Alaska
-
Trump sues LA over immigration policies
Speed Read He is suing over the city's sanctuary law, claiming it prevents local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities
-
Obama, Bush and Bono eulogize USAID on final day
Speed Read The US Agency for International Development, a humanitarian organization, has been gutted by the Trump administration
-
The last words and final moments of 40 presidents
The Explainer Some are eloquent quotes worthy of the holders of the highest office in the nation, and others... aren't
-
Senate advances GOP bill that costs more, cuts more
Speed Read The bill would make giant cuts to Medicaid and food stamps, leaving 11.8 million fewer people with health coverage
-
Canadian man dies in ICE custody
Speed Read A Canadian citizen with permanent US residency died at a federal detention center in Miami