TPM: 5 Points On McMaster's Defense Of POTUS Divulging Highly Classified Info

[DonViejo]

By ALLEGRA KIRKLAND and ESME CRIBB Published MAY 16, 2017 1:20 PM


National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster on Tuesday morning marched in lockstep with the larger Trump administration narrative on reports that the President disclosed highly classified information to Russian officials, insisting during a press briefing that nothing inappropriate was shared and that the “real issue” was leaks to the press. Yet even as he defended the White House, McMaster revealed some telling details.

He did not deny that Trump shared classified information with senior Russian diplomats, and he divulged that Trump spontaneously shared details about an Islamic State threat with a country that the U.S. intelligence community agrees intervened in the 2016 presidential election to Trump’s benefit.

These are the key takeaways from McMaster’s turn at the briefing podium.

1. Trump made snap decision to share info

-snip-

2. The CIA and NSA were warned about what Trump divulged

-snip-

3. Trump was never briefed on where the info came from

-snip-

4. McMaster stands by his statement that WaPo’s story is “false”

-snip-

5. Leaks are the ‘real issue’ here!

-snip-

Full article:
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/fivepoints/key-takeaways-mcmaster-trump-sharing-info-russian-diplomats

[underpants]

1. #5 YEAH leaks are the real issue here

[GitRDun]

2. This latest episode IMO is an indictment of the whole national security team

They know the guy is a blowhard but give him information that cannot be shared without permission anyway.

They don't tell him about permission needed.

They go out and do a non-denial denial to the Post's story.

The next day they basically confirm most of the story.

In other words, they don't know what they are doing and will lie to cover up their mistakes.

Our partners are going to cut us off.

[countryjake]

3. Same is true of our State Dept, they heard about it on CNN

Sec Tillerson never even discussed, informed, or warned anyone who works for him, before his statement was released yesterday.

State Dept. left in the dark about Tillerson statement on Post's Trump report
http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/15/politics/tillerson-statement-trump/

The entire Administration is in total disarray.

[muriel_volestrangler]

4. Since it was the Russian media who leaked that the ambassador was present, maybe McMaster

should look into whether they also leaked what Trump said? After all, the White House was very angry about the leak that showed the ambassador was there, which they had tried to cover up. So he should try and stop the leaks that come from Russia. One way to do that is to stop inviting the Russians to the Oval Office and then telling them your secrets.