US President Donald Trump speaks during the Inaugural Law Enforcement Officers and First Responders Reception in the Blue Room of the White House in Washington, US. PHOTO: REUTERS
The Republican's rebuke, posted on Twitter and Facebook, comes with his administration on the defensive against allegations of improper links to Russia, with several investigations into the matter underway on Capitol Hill and at the FBI.
Accusations against Trump and his cohorts have come from news reports based on unnamed government sources.
"The FBI is totally unable to stop the national security 'leakers' that have permeated our government for a long time," Trump said.
The FBI is totally unable to stop the national security "leakers" that have permeated our government for a long time. They can't even......
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 24, 2017
"They can't even find the leakers within the FBI itself. Classified information is being given to media that could have a devastating effect on US FIND NOW."
find the leakers within the FBI itself. Classified information is being given to media that could have a devastating effect on U.S. FIND NOW
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 24, 2017
The social media posts from Trump, a voracious consumer of cable news, came as CNN was airing a story on how the FBI rejected a recent White House request to publicly deny news reports about alleged communications between Trump associates and potential Russian spies during the 2016 presidential campaign.
Trump reverses Obama ban on private prisons
CNN's report was based on "multiple unnamed US officials briefed on the matter."
A White House official told CNN the request to the FBI came only after the agency indicated the news reports were not accurate.
US intelligence agencies have concluded that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential campaign to tip the result in Trump's favour.
1734846750-0/Untitled-design-(96)1734846750-0-270x192.webp "us navy shoots down own f a 18 jet in red sea mishap")
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ