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U.S. NEWS A3
Thursday 22 March 2018
Tempest over Trump-Putin call turns into uproar over leaks
President Donald Trump pauses during a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Wednesday, speaking to earlier Wednesday about
in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, March 20, 2018, in Washington. The Associated Press on a possible firing was an un-
condition of anonymity be- usual threat and an indica-
(AP Photo/Evan Vucci) cause the official had not tion of the seriousness with
been authorized to discuss which the administration is
By ZEKE MILLER times of notable severity — Obama and his secretary internal matters. treating the latest breach.
JONATHAN LEMIRE said in a statement it would of state, Hillary Clinton The document had been Trump and Chief of Staff
WASHINGTON (AP) — The be a "fireable offense and "didn't have the energy or accessible only to a select John Kelly are both angry
tempest over President likely illegal" to leak Trump's chemistry" with the Russian group of staffers, two of- over the disclosure, officials
Donald Trump's congratu- briefing papers to the press, leader. Aides had includ- ficials said, and had been said, especially because of
latory phone call to Vladi- after word emerged that ed guidance in Trump's drafted by aides to Nation- the small circle of distribu-
mir Putin quickly grew on the president had been talking points for the call al Security Adviser H.R. Mc- tion. Trump has told confi-
Wednesday into an uproar warned in briefing materi- to Putin stating: "DO NOT Master. They also said there dants that be believes the
over White House leaks, als not to congratulate the CONGRATULATE," a senior now is an internal probe of leak was meant to embar-
sparking an internal inves- Russian president on his re- administration official said the leak but provided no rass and undermine him,
tigation and speculation election. Trump did so any- other details. The officials said White House officials
over who might be the next way, and on Wednesday spoke on the condition of and outside advisers fa-
person Trump forces out of he defended the call, say- anonymity to discuss sensi- miliar with the president's
the West Wing. ing George W. Bush did not tive internal deliberations. thinking but not authorized
The White House, which has have the "smarts" to work The White House is not for- to publicly discuss private
suffered frequent leaks — at with Putin, and that Barack mally acknowledging the conversations. The presi-
veracity of the presidential dent has suggested it was
guidance first reported by done by "the deep state,"
The Washington Post. they said. That's the catch-
Trump defended his deci- all phrase for career offi-
sion to congratulate Putin cials and the Washington
in his Wednesday tweets, establishment who, Trump
saying Obama did the believes, have tried to pro-
same in 2012. tect their own grasp on
"Getting along with Rus- power by sabotaging him.
sia (and others) is a good Other leaks of classified
thing, not a bad thing," material — including par-
Trump said, adding that tial transcripts of Trump’s
Russia can "help solve calls with foreign leaders —
problems" from North Korea have not garnered specific
to "the coming Arms Race." warnings of termination or
The White House statement criminal action.q
Trump swings behind massive
budget; huge military increase
By ANDREW TAYLOR leaders discussed their
WASHINGTON (AP) — De- support for the bill, which
spite second thoughts, includes more funds to
President Donald Trump rebuild the military," said
swung behind a $1.3 tril- White House Press Secre-
lion government spending tary Sarah Sanders, adding
bill Wednesday that would that it would fund Trump
give him a partial victory priorities such as wall con-
on funding for a U.S.-Mexi- struction, add money to
co border wall. combat the opioid crisis
House Speaker Paul Ryan, and provide new infra-
R-Wis., rushed to the White structure spending.
House amid worries that Earlier, a meeting of top
Trump was talking about congressional leaders pro-
withdrawing his support for duced tentative accords
the measure, said a person on two tax provisions and
familiar with White House a decision to strengthen
communications with con- the criminal background
gressional leaders. How- check system for gun pur-
ever, after a face-to-face chases. Ryan said an of-
meeting, Trump confirmed ficial agreement on the
his support. sweeping measure would
"The president and the likely come "very soon."q
