“Trump Shared Classified ISIS Information with Russia,” White House Denies
Several media outlets and news agencies, citing unnamed officials, report that the U.S. President shared “classified information” about “ISIS” with Russian officials during a meeting with Russia’s Foreign Minister. The White House has denied these reports.
Reuters, The Washington Post, and several other media outlets reported on the evening of May 15, citing unnamed officials, that Donald Trump, the President of the United States, revealed classified information about the “Islamic State” group during a meeting last week with Sergey Lavrov and Sergey Kislyak, Russia’s Foreign Minister and ambassador to Washington.
According to the media reports, the information that Mr. Trump provided to Russian officials was “exceptionally classified” and had been obtained from an American intelligence ally.
According to the published reports, the source of the information had not given the United States permission to share it with Moscow, and Mr. Trump’s decision in this matter could potentially compromise cooperation with this Washington ally, which has access to the inner circle of the group known as the “Islamic State.”
Media reports state that during the U.S. President’s meeting with Messrs. Lavrov and Kislyak at the White House, Mr. Trump provided them with details about threats posed by the “ISIS” group related to the use of laptops on aircraft. Recently, the U.S. government, “following receipt of terrorist threats,” banned passengers from bringing certain personal items, such as laptops, in aircraft cabins on flights from certain airports to this country.
The Washington Post states that for many citizens, disclosing classified information would be considered illegal, but the President has broad authority that allows him to disclose state secrets; something that makes it practically “illegal” for Mr. Trump’s action to be highly unlikely.
Government and Lawmakers’ Response
Following the publication of reports about Trump and Lavrov’s meeting and conversation, the U.S. President’s Foreign Secretary and National Security Advisor issued statements denying that any wrongdoing had occurred.
H.R. McMaster, Donald Trump’s National Security Advisor, said “the President and the Foreign Secretary reviewed a number of threats posed by terrorist groups, including threats related to aviation.”
This White House official added: “At no time were sources or methods of intelligence collection discussed, nor were any military operations disclosed, and what was discussed was already known to the public.”
Rex Tillerson, U.S. Secretary of State, also said “during the meeting between President Trump and Lavrov, Russia’s Foreign Secretary, discussions took place on various topics, including joint counterterrorism efforts and common threats arising from them. However, they did not discuss sources, methods, or military operations.”
On the other hand, several members of Congress also responded to the published reports.
Senator Mark Warner, the senior Democratic representative on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said that if these allegations are true, it would be like “a slap in the face” to the American intelligence community.
Senator Bob Corker, Republican chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, also said the published reports are “concerning.” Mr. Corker told reporters: “There is a very good national security team currently working at the White House, and constructive positive developments are occurring by them and others, but the chaos resulting from a lack of discipline… has created a concerning atmosphere.”
The meeting between Mr. Trump and Lavrov took place on May 10. Over the past four years, with rising tensions between Washington and Russia over Ukraine and Syria, this was Lavrov’s first visit to the White House.
Source: Radio Farda
