“We respect the important role that the press plays and will give them respect, but it is not unlimited,” said Attorney General Jeff Sessions, whom President Trump has criticized publicly in recent weeks. “They cannot place lives at risk with impunity,” Sessions said at a press conference. “We must balance their role with protecting our national security and the lives of those who serve in our intelligence community, the armed forces, and all law-abiding Americans.” He added: “We will not allow rogue anonymous sources with security clearances to sell out our country any longer.”
Much of Trump’s criticism of Sessions, besides his big problem with Sessions recusing himself from the Russia-Trump collusion investigation, has been about leaks from the intelligence community to the press. Sessions suggested that some of the protections previously afforded the press could be withdrawn in the alleged interest of national security. Sessions said the Attorney General’s Office is reviewing current policies “affecting media subpoenas,” implying that the government will seek more power to force journalists to reveal confidential sources. Sessions said: “we are here to announce some of the steps being taken and underway by the National Insider Threat Task Force to ensure that this government’s first priority—to protect this country and her citizens—is not undermined by the very people who have been entrusted to protect it.”