WaPo: Trump Revealed "Highly Classified Information" In Meeting With Russians, White House Denies
by Tyler Durden
May 15, 2017 6:02 PM
Update:
As expected, immediately after Wapo published their latest provocative Trump story, the mainstream media echo chamber went into full effect, first NYT.
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 Michael D. Shear
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We have confirmed elements of the blockbuster Post story. Read our initial version here. Developing. t.co
6:29 PM - 15 May 2017
Trump Revealed Highly Classified Intelligence to Russia, in Break With AllyThe intelligence disclosed was about an Islamic State plot, according to the officials.
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And Reuters:
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JUST IN: Two U.S. officials confirm Washington Post report that Trump revealed highly classified information in meeting with Russia's Lavrov
6:41 PM - 15 May 2017
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This tweet sums it up pretty well:
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CNN citing HuffPo citing Maddow citing the Washington Post citing sources citing scribble on a cocktail napkin at the D.C. Hyatt lounge t.co
6:22 PM - 15 May 2017
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Meanwhile, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster and Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategy Dina Powell, all of whom were in the room during the meeting in question, all issued statements denying that classified information was divulged:
Rex Tillerson: "During President Trump's meeting with Foreign Minister Lavrov a broad range of subjects were discussed among which were common efforts and threats regarding counter-terrorism. During that exchange the nature of specific threats were discussed, but they did not discuss sources, methods or military operations."
H.R. McMaster: "The president and the foreign minister reviewed common threats from terrorist organizations to include threats to aviation. At no time were any intelligence sources or methods discussed and no military operations were disclosed that were not already known publicly."
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National Sec. Adviser H.R. McMaster: "The story that came out tonight as reported is false" t.co
7:14 PM - 15 May 2017
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Dina Powell: "This story is false. The president only discussed the common threats that both countries faced."
Finally, Paul Ryan's office seems to have no idea what's going on.
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Speaker Ryan's office speaks re WaPo story
6:42 PM - 15 May 2017
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* * *
Citing "current and former U.S. officials," all anonymous of course, the Washington Post has just reported that President Trump revealed "highly classified information" to the Russian foreign minister and ambassador in a White House meeting last week which jeopardized a critical source of intelligence on the Islamic State. Per WaPo, the sensitive information allegedly relayed by Trump had been provided by a U.S. partner through an intelligence-sharing arrangement considered so sensitive that details have been withheld from allies and tightly restricted even within the U.S. government.
The partner had not given the United States permission to share the material with Russia, and officials said that Trump’s decision to do so risks cooperation from an ally that has access to the inner workings of the Islamic State. After Trump’s meeting, senior White House officials took steps to contain the damage, placing calls to the CIA and National Security Agency.
“This is code-word information,” said a U.S. official familiar with the matter, using terminology that refers to one of the highest classification levels used by American spy agencies. Trump “revealed more information to the Russian ambassador than we have shared with our own allies.”
“It is all kind of shocking,” said a former senior U.S. official close to current administration officials. “Trump seems to be very reckless, and doesn’t grasp the gravity of the things he’s dealing with, especially when it comes to intelligence and national security. And it’s all clouded because of this problem he has with Russia.”
Per the WaPo's rendition of the story, the "highly classified information" was shared as Trump was boasting about the quality of his daily intelligence briefings in last week's meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Ambassador Sergey Kislyak.
“I get great intel. I have people brief me on great intel every day,” Trump said, according to an official with knowledge of the exchange.
Trump went on to discuss aspects of the threat that the United States only learned through the espionage capabilities of a key partner. He did not reveal the specific intelligence gathering method, but described how the Islamic State was pursuing elements of a specific plot and how much harm such an attack could cause under varying circumstances. Most alarmingly, officials said, Trump revealed the city in the Islamic State’s territory where the U.S. intelligence partner detected the threat.
“Everyone knows this stream is very sensitive and the idea of sharing it at this level of granularity with the Russians is troubling,” said a former senior U.S. counterterrorism official who also worked closely with members of the Trump national security team. He and others spoke on condition of anonymity, citing the sensitivity of the subject.
Meanwhile, in an effort to add mystique to the story, and undoubtedly to draw a clear delineation between their "responsible journalism" and Julian Assange's reckless, hostile, non-state cyber terrorism, the Washington Post went on to note that they're withholding most of the juicy plot details, including the name of the city where the intelligence was gathered, at the urging of officials who warned that revealing them would jeopardize important intelligence capabilities.
The identification of the location was seen as particularly problematic, officials said, because Russia could use that detail to help identify the U.S. ally or intelligence capability involved. Officials said that the capability could be useful for other purposes, possibly providing intelligence on Russia’s presence in Syria. Moscow and would be keenly interested in identifying that source and possibly disrupting it.
Russia and the United States both regard the Islamic State as an enemy and share limited information about terrorist threats. But the two nations have competing agendas in Syria, where Moscow has deployed military assets and personnel to support Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
“Russia could identify our sources or techniques,” the senior U.S. official said. A former intelligence official who handled high-level intelligence on Russia said that given the clues Trump provided, “I don’t think that it would be that hard [for Russian spy services] to figure this out.”
So, just to clarify, Trump leaking to the Russians is bad, but anonymous sources leaking to Wapo is just fine...got it...thanks.
Ironically, the only named source in the Washington Post's article is National Security Advisor H. R. McMaster who notes that the entire story is nothing more than "fake news." Of course, that didn't stop them from running the headline anyway.
"The president and the foreign minister reviewed common threats from terrorist organizations to include threats to aviation," said H.R. McMaster, the national security adviser, who participated in the meeting. "At no time were any intelligence sources or methods discussed and no military operations were disclosed that were not already known publicly."
Of course, this latest salacious story from WaPo comes after two similarly provocative stories were published by the New York Times and Washington Post last week and then promptly debunked by the FBI and Department of Justice.
First there was the story from the NYT saying that Comey had asked for a "significant increase" in funding for his Russia probe just days before he was fired and then WaPo ran a story saying that Rod Rosenstein had threatened to quit when Trump attributed the Comey firing to his letter. Both accusations were subsequently denied on the record by the Department of Justice.
As we noted last week, even Andrew McCabe, the acting FBI Director whose wife sourced campaign funds directly from a close Hillary Clinton confidant dismantled the NYT's funding narrative in his Senate testimony by noting that the FBI doesn't even make funding requests for individual investigations.
Senator: "Can you confirm that that request [funding request for Russia probe] was, in fact, made?"
McCabe: "I can not confirm that request was made.
As you know, when we need resources, we make those requests here. So, I'm not aware of that request and it's not consistent with my understanding of how we request additional resources.
That said, we don't typically request resources for an individual case. And, as I mentioned, I strongly believe that the Russia investigation is adequately resourced."
We're awaiting confirmation that Chuck Schumer has called for yet another Senate hearing on this latest unsubstantiated "media report."
SPY White House New York Times Twitter Reuters Testimony Department of Justice FBI national security Rex Tillerson Twitter
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HenryHall May 15, 2017 6:05 PM
>>Trump Revealed "Highly Classified Information" In Meeting With Russians
Even if it is true (which is unlikely) that is his prerogative.
As President he gets to decide what is classified and what is not classified.
The_Juggernaut HenryHall May 15, 2017 6:07 PM
This may be real, but the never-Trumpers have complained about so many fake things that everyone stopped listening months ago.
AllTimeWhys The_Juggernaut May 15, 2017 6:08 PM
Washington post
gee, wilickers color me surprised!
JSBach1 AllTimeWhys May 15, 2017 6:19 PM
These leaks are ususally divulged in pairs, just ever so slightly nuaunced in a "different" angle...
Come out (NYT, CNN, Politico, CBS, ABC, NBC, ...) of the woodwork?
nope-1004 JSBach1 May 15, 2017 6:22 PM
WaPo -> The dead pig drowning and no one cares.
'nuff said.
Pinto Currency nope-1004 May 15, 2017 6:22 PM
infowars.com
AltRight Girl Pinto Currency May 15, 2017 6:24 PM
If Trump will take too long to Drain The Swamp, the Deep State will try to use this Russia narrative until they might get enough support for impeachment. Just wait and see
Trump’s Enemies Try to Bind His “Hands and Feet” Using Russia as a Pretext
Pinto Currency AltRight Girl May 15, 2017 6:25 PM
Just as Roger Stone and Cernovich reveal Priebus as the WH Leaker then Bezos/WaPo accuses Trump of classified leak:
BREAKING! Priebus Exposed As White House Leaker
infowars.com
Deep state running scared.
Deathrips Pinto Currency May 15, 2017 6:26 PM
Alt Right Girls a dumb ass spamming malware fucker. Get the hint mother fucker, Fuck Off!!
RIPS
Pinto Currency Deathrips May 15, 2017 6:28 PM
Comey's gone.
Priebus next.
ACP Pinto Currency May 15, 2017 6:38 PM
TYLERS YOU HAVE TO PUT A "FAKE NEWS" DISCLAIMER ON EVERYTHING FROM WAPO.
Mr. Universe ACP May 15, 2017 6:57 PM
Sorry, but it is all over the Fake news media. They are going to use this to impeach him. I figure the railroad job will be completed in record time as soon as the GOP gets on board. They hate Trump and will do anything to rid themselves of this unplanned and unwelcome interloper. Of course while the US is busy with domestic issues, what black swan will land internationally?
Bigern Mr. Universe May 15, 2017 7:40 PM
Is it really any secret that they want Paul Ryan as President? Only two to shove out of the way.
Rome had a year of four emperors. It can happen again. Nothing new under the sun.
Tarzan Bigern May 15, 2017 7:47 PM
Jeff Bezos, need I say moarrrr?
Thomas Paine ACP May 15, 2017 7:04 PM
WaPO...Public Enemy #One.
fleur de lis Pinto Currency May 15, 2017 7:49 PM
Wadda crocka sh*t.
First of all, the WaPo used annonymous sources to tell yet another raunchy fairy tale.
Then they forgot to take into account the fact that there were only 4 people in the room -- would one of them be so monumentally stupid at this point to risk geting easily tracked and caught passing information?
Maybe the WH structure itself has surveillance hidden away -- consider who controlled it all these years.
That would be a perfect way to undermine Trump and further empower the Deep State.
After all, didn't Obama, Hellish, Preet, Comey, Waters, etc., join The Resistance/The Deep State and deign to obstruct and destroy Trump?
Doesn't this stunt look a wee bit like that?
Very interesting that they chose WaPo to spread their mischief.
Like attracts like.
Bastiat Deathrips May 15, 2017 6:52 PM
Trump has the authority - Clinton and Abedin did not. Arrest them now!
JamesBond Deathrips May 15, 2017 6:55 PM
We may be defending democracy with a gun sooner than we thought
Akzed JamesBond May 15, 2017 7:23 PM
Who, in his right mind, would defend democracy?
eatthebanksters Deathrips May 15, 2017 7:29 PM
Would someone fucking curb stomp these lying journos so this shit might stop. When will it fucking end. Its like they have someone watching Trump so they can invent a disruptive lie every day. Fuck...I am soooooo tire of this shit.
John Law Lives AltRight Girl May 15, 2017 6:46 PM
*** SPAM ALERT ***
Do not click on AltRight Girl's link.
AltRight Girl = SPAMMER moron who uses multiple ids
Deathrips Pinto Currency May 15, 2017 6:25 PM
So Russia and the US (supposedly) are fighting ISIS and they cant talk?
Keelhull Bezos. Theres better examples of trumps misrepresentation.
RIPS
Itinerant Deathrips May 15, 2017 7:43 PM
I will reveal all. The ally that is in danger of being outed is the Mossad. Their information is that ISIS is in Raqqah.
rccalhoun nope-1004 May 15, 2017 6:23 PM
did trump reveal that hillary's server still was still unprotected?
nmewn rccalhoun May 15, 2017 6:26 PM
"Citing "current and former U.S. officials," all anonymous of course, the Washington Post has just reported that..."
And thats where everyone can stop reading.
Mr. Bones nmewn May 15, 2017 6:37 PM
BAHAHAHAHA
Does anyone else remember just a couple fucking months ago when this same cabal of leftists was arguing that Obama and Hillary had unilateral authority to declassify at will?
How many times do they think they can change the rules on the field of play before people catch on?
nmewn Mr. Bones May 15, 2017 6:48 PM
Yeah.
And I especially like her letting her lawyers and aides paw all over her illegal emails instead of preserving them as evidence when her server came to light, with some half baked claim of (I'm now paraphrasing)...
"It was all done under the supervision of a government official. I was that government official."
...well hells bells! What could possibly be wrong with a suspect destroying evidence?! Happens everyday!...lmao!!!
44magnum nmewn May 15, 2017 6:55 PM
Every day since 911
Mr. Universe 44magnum May 15, 2017 6:59 PM
"You mean like with a cloth?"
Even she had a hard time keeping a straight face for that one.
securitized-debt nmewn May 15, 2017 7:16 PM
she was a waitress in a cocktail bar now she owns a jet... bit.ly
shovelhead nmewn May 15, 2017 6:52 PM
Ya know, I'm starting to think something fishy is going on at these newspapers...
Winston Churchill shovelhead May 15, 2017 6:57 PM
Like the shithouse door on a tuna boat ?
nmewn shovelhead May 15, 2017 7:01 PM
lol
j0nx shovelhead May 15, 2017 7:39 PM
WP better fucking PRAY this story is legit or trump is gonna burn them to the ground. Assuming that patriots out there don't beat him to it. The lying msm needs to be brought to heel.
11b40 nmewn May 15, 2017 6:53 PM
So, let's look at this carefully.
" the Washington Post went on to note that they're withholding most of the juicy plot details, including the name of the city where the intelligence was gathered, at the urging of officials who warned that revealing them would jeopardize important intelligence capabilities."
A leaker gave the WaPo not just the fact that Trump leaked intelligence of the highest order, but also the actual details of the intelligence. that means that someone cleaked highly dangerous top secret info to an newspaper reporter...with no clearance.
Sounds like their source just committed treason. If I were Trump, my Justie Department would be going after the WaPo claw & hammer, and if my intel agencies could not find the leaker, I would fire all of them.
nmewn 11b40 May 15, 2017 7:12 PM
It has always been just amazing to me how incomprehensibly stupid they really are. Its like after they "broke their story" on Flynn...
"Anonymous government officials who wish to remain unidentified say that Flynn..."
...really? And you are saying that they know this...how again? Was there some "Watergate wiretapping" of your political opponents, maybe, perhaps?
Oh no no no! There was no wiretap!...lmao!!!
Giant Meteor nope-1004 May 15, 2017 6:56 PM
Don't be so quick, they're going for the juglar ..
I stated as much earlier, they are lining up, both sides against him ...
Yes, it may well all be bullshit, but that does not matter.
They're are going to get whatever result it is they are seeking ..
I believe they, meaning the deeep state, are seeking his head, removal etc ..
Also note, Syrian war crime, attrocities story, Syria, supported by Russians and Iran as the story goes, the new evil empires, commiting and participating in crimes against humanity. Shit, these folks are gettin serious,
Also note, the Mike Roger's story the other day, Roger's wanting MORE control over various western information systems, mass hacking around the world shortly thereafter, soon follows.
What a fucking coincidence ..
All, in my opinion, because it is increasingly clear, if not obvious to some, the deep state and money changers cannot keep the economic balls in the air much longer, under present circumstances. All else is to hide, obfuscate , the immediate dire straits, the US and global economy finds itself in, and corruption on a scale, heretofore never seen, in the history of mankind ..
Must shut down dissent, that will be coming, total domination nof informations systems and "cyber security." for, you know, everyone's own good. Shit is hitting the fan for real, in my opinion, even tho the news yes, be faked, the degrees of the fakery, lies, deceptions, agi prop, narratives, counter narratives, the lemgths being taken, are elevated epically by te day, and of course the USUAL suspects, are front and center, McCain, neocons, and their boosters ..
TuPhat Giant Meteor May 15, 2017 6:57 PM
THey don't want Trump's head exactly, they want Pence the globalist in charge.
Giant Meteor TuPhat May 15, 2017 7:05 PM
Yes of course. They realize they have lost control, they need tried and true. Pence was the "insurance.." Many speculated this at the time. Many stated, watch your back don. They want the tried and true, "steady hand."
Meanwhile they get rid of Trump, and what, Pence, friendly neocons, and Goldman guy's already ready to role ..
You are right, they will leave him his head perhaps, if he plays ball,
Others can speculate whether or not that was the plan, all along ..
RiverRoad TuPhat May 15, 2017 7:05 PM
That's definitely the plan. I hope Trump can head 'em off at the pass.
Lumberjack JSBach1 May 15, 2017 6:29 PM
Their editor needs eye glasses... Hillary doesn't start with a T. ... Secondly it was Ukrainians....
chubbar JSBach1 May 15, 2017 6:45 PM
Do the dems really want to go there with this disclosure of classified info? They shouldn't have any issue with reopening the Clinton email affair then.
At some point the media has to be held accountable for printing true stories. I hope Trump asks them to either prove this story or lose their business license.
macholatte AllTimeWhys May 15, 2017 6:19 PM
WaPo - ZERO credibility.
Can you believe anything they say anymore?
Theosebes Goodfellow AllTimeWhys May 15, 2017 6:23 PM
If you are ever curious what sort of pablum is being fed the low information voter, just go to Google News. Without fail, their lead story is invariably a WaPo story. In fact, almost all of their stories are from the WaPo and other leftist statist news propaganda organs. So this is news, WaPo? No named sources? And you call yourselves journalists. Don't make me laugh.
Kidbuck AllTimeWhys May 15, 2017 6:39 PM
For the last 60 years the Washington Post has been sucking up to Russia like Obama in a bath house. Now they decide to change sides?
Whereallthewhit... The_Juggernaut May 15, 2017 6:13 PM
Yep the media is crying wolf and the country stopped listening
Darktarra The_Juggernaut May 15, 2017 6:17 PM
VERY FAKE NEWS.
Chupacabra-322 Darktarra May 15, 2017 6:42 PM
Extremely False Narrative Scripted Deep State PsyOp Fale News.
illuminatus Darktarra May 15, 2017 7:47 PM
Once you figure out who runs the show, really, not the clowns on stage, it gets really easy to ignore details.
Hikikomori The_Juggernaut May 15, 2017 6:41 PM
Again - this is the crux of the matter. The I'm With Hers have lost a lot of credibility by screaming about every possible thing under the sun President Trump might have done, or things he has done which are blindingly trivial, such as having two scoops of ice cream with his chocolate pie when Newsweek reporters who were interviewing him had one.
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