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Sen. Coons concerned by Pres. Trump's reported leak of classified info

Delaware Public Media

Sen. Chris Coons is troubled by media reports saying President Trump revealed classified information in a meeting with Russian officials.

Late Monday the Washington Post reported the president boasted about classified intelligence he received regarding ISIS from a Middle Eastern partner.

Speaking to NPR’s Morning Edition Tuesday, Coons called the allegations careless and dangerous.

"If true, this story strongly suggests President Trump doesn’t understand the consequences of inappropriately sharing highly classified information with our adversary Russia."

Coons, who’s on both the Senate Foreign Relations and Judiciary Committees, wonders how partner countries could trust a president who may not keep classified intelligence secret.

"In a way that would really put at risk our close and confidential relationship with a key ally that has shared insights into ISIS that were essential. So essential, they were kept at the very highest level of classification."

White House officials responded Monday by denying the report’s accuracy, saying President Trump did not discuss specific threats, sources or military operations.

In a series of morning tweets Tuesday, Trump defended his actions, saying he wanted to inform Russia about facts pertinent to terrorism and airline safety.

On Tuesday The New York Times reported former FBI Director James Comey wrote a memo stating President Trump asked him to shut down the investigation of former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn. 

In a statement, Sen. Coons said the story further underscores the need for congressional action to ensure the integrity of that FBI investigation.

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