Trump slams 'deeply troubling' leaks of sensitive info about the Manchester bombing, orders investigation

The American government is leakier than a faucet, much to the chagrin of allies across the pond. Police overseeing the investigation into Monday night's suicide bombing at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England, have stopped sharing information with American counterparts after U.S. officials allegedly leaked information about the attacker and his explosive to the press before British police wanted the information released. Prime Minister Theresa May said Thursday she would "make clear to President Trump that intelligence shared between our security agencies must remain secure."

In response, President Trump released a statement Thursday asking the Department of Justice and relevant agencies "to launch a complete review of this matter, and if appropriate, the culprit should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law." Trump called the leaks "deeply troubling" and said the release of sensitive information can pose a "grave threat to our national security."

Trump has long fought to cork his administration's plentiful leaks. The president even asked his former FBI director, James Comey, to consider "putting reporters in prison for publishing classified information," The New York Times reports. Read more about the Trump administration and the upside to leakers here at The Week.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

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.

Sign up