The Trump administration has instituted restrictions on access to classified information across the federal government, an aggressive counterattack against leaks, Politico is reporting.
Many believe the changes are meant to not only cut down on security leaks, but also identify and root out the leakers themselves, heightening tensions and paranoia throughout the agencies, Politico reported.
"I'm just trying to keep my head down," a U.S. intelligence official told Politico.
The multi-agency crackdown on access comes after President Donald Trump took measures to contain leaks coming out of his own White House, Politico reported.
Fears are that printed items are being tracked as well as personal communications in order to weed out leakers, Politico reported.
Trump has railed against leaks and leakers within the intelligence community from the start of his presidency, his outrage often coming out on Twitter.
"This Administration understands the importance of safeguarding classified and sensitive information. Those that leak classified and sensitive information threaten our national security," White House press secretary Sean Spicer said in the Politico report.
Former President Barack Obama's was the most aggressive of any administration in its crackdown, prosecuting more leak investigations than any up to that point combined, Politico reported.
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