Press Release
Posted:
Washington – Today, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) introduced a House Resolution disapproving of the President’s irresponsible and negligent handling of classified information. This resolution comes in the wake of reports that the President shared critical intelligence information with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Ambassador Sergey Kislyak.
“As a former member of the House Intelligence Committee, I know firsthand how important it is to protect our allies and sources who provide us with crucial information on terrorist activities,” said Thompson. “We rely extensively on foreign contacts to remain updated on ISIL, Al Qaeda, and other terrorist groups. When the President shared sensitive information with the Russians, he jeopardized a source in a potentially dangerous situation. Russia is not our ally. The President should not endanger our sources in an attempt to curry favor with the Russians. The safety of Americans has to come first, and that safety depends on a network of foreign intelligence sources who need to know their information—and positions—will remain secure.”
Israel was widely reported to be the source of the information the President shared. Yesterday, Israeli Defense Chief Avigdor Liberman confirmed Israel had changed its intelligence-sharing protocols with the United States after the President’s disclosure. The full text of the resolution can be found here or at https://mikethompson.house.gov/sites/mikethompson.house.gov/files/HRes_D....