The Obama administration "leaks like a sieve" when it comes to national security, Rep. Peter King of New York told Newsmax TV in an exclusive interview following the presidential debate in Boca Raton, Fla.
“This administration leaks like a sieve,” King told Newsmax. “That’s why I’ve called for investigations by the inspector general, the Defense Department. Call on CIA investigation on all that’s been leaked.”
Watch the exclusive interview here.
King was specifically commenting on a New York Times story that cited administration sources discussing clandestine discussions the United States has been having with Iran over the issue of Tehran’s nuclear program and efforts to get Iran to agree to mothball the program. The Obama administration has denied the contents of the story and also that it is the source of the leaked information.
King has long stated this behavior by Obama and his staff is nothing new. In the recent past King, who is the chairman of the House Homeland Security committee, has accused the president of using leaks to help his re-election bid.
King is one of the members of Congress who pushed Attorney General Eric Holder to get to the bottom of the source of the leaks. He believes it likely comes straight from the White House. He once said Obama was “trying to be like [General] George Patton and John Wayne.”
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King acknowledged governments often find ways to speak to enemies on issues that stand between them. But those talks are private for reasons of national security and breaching creates all sorts of political issues.
“First of all, governments often have backchannels with other countries, even if they’re our enemies; even if we’re at odd with them,” said King. “So that wouldn’t be unusual.
“But I do find, though, again, deplorable is this obviously was leaked by the administration. And if it’s true that there are talks going on, top secret talks, and they leaked them on the eve of a presidential debate on foreign policy, that’s irresponsible. Totally irresponsible.
“So much has been leaked by the administration on the bin Laden killing, on the tactics and strategies we have, on the policies we’re using against Iran, on cyber technology, all of that,” he continued. “So, no, this is another example of deplorable leaks by the administration.”
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