Jake Tapper witheringly pokes holes in H.R. McMaster's definition of 'wholly appropriate'
CNN's Jake Tapper isn't buying National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster's claim that President Trump's reveal to Russian officials was "wholly appropriate." Hours after McMaster claimed at a press briefing Tuesday that it was not necessarily problematic that Trump had disclosed classified information during a meeting last week with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak, Tapper told a much different story.
Tapper recalled that the government had explicitly warned CNN in March that revealing "certain details about the threat, including the city from which some of the intelligence was collected" — in other words, the very information Trump apparently revealed to Russian officials — could pose a huge risk. "By reporting the city's name, Trump administration officials insisted, that would tip off American adversaries about sources and methods used to gather the intelligence," Tapper said. "It would, they insisted, get people killed."
CNN did not report the information, but Tapper said CNN has since confirmed that Trump did reveal it to Lavrov and Kislyak. Returning to McMaster's claim that Trump's reveal was "wholly appropriate," Tapper asked: "Again, this is the same city that intelligence officials say, 'If we told it to you right now, it would get people killed,' but somehow we are simultaneously supposed to believe that President Trump sharing this information — the city and more — with a U.S. adversary — Russia — is, quote, 'wholly appropriate'?"
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.
Watch Tapper's interrogation of McMaster's claim below. Becca Stanek
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'His story should be here'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
'Not cross buns': the row over recipe revamps
Talking Point New versions of the Easter favourite have sparked controversy but sales are soaring
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
The England kit: a furore over the flag
Why everyone's talking about Nike's redesign of the St George's Cross on the collar of the English national team's shirt has caused controversy
By The Week UK Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift to Miley Cyrus: female artists dominate 2024 Grammys
Speed Read SZA, Phoebe Bridgers and Lainey Wilson were also among the winners at LA gala
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
South Korea passes law banning sale and production of dog meat
Speed Read Rare bipartisan support 'highlights changing attitudes' as young people shun centuries-old tradition
By The Week UK Published
-
Out of touch: Daryl Hall obtains restraining order against bandmate John Oates
Speed Read Lawsuit reveals unharmonious relationship between most commercially successful duo in pop history
By Jamie Timson, The Week UK Published