Trump slams ‘illegal’ leak alleging Sessions discussed campaign with Russian envoy
President Trump on Saturday morning blasted a Washington Post article based on U.S. intelligence reports claiming Attorney General Jeff Sessions discussed Trump campaign issues with Russia’s ambassador to the U.S.
Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak recounted two such conversations with Sessions to his superiors in Moscow. Kislyak’s version of events was intercepted by U.S. spy agencies that monitor Russian communications, according to the Post.
The report does additional damage to allegations that Trump campaign officials colluded with Russian officials at a time when the Kremlin was seeking to influence the 2016 presidential election.
{mosads}
Trump pushed back on the source rather than the veracity of the Post’s report.
“These illegal leaks, like Comey’s, must stop!” he tweeted.
A new INTELLIGENCE LEAK from the Amazon Washington Post,this time against A.G. Jeff Sessions.These illegal leaks, like Comey’s, must stop!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 22, 2017
Trump called the paper “the Amazon Washington Post,” in a dig at the Post’s owner Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos. The Post is a favorite punching bag of the president’s.
He also tied the source of this report, based on intelligence material, to former FBI Director James Comey, who has been known to provide material to the media in the past. Trump has criticized Comey for leaking to the press.
Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.