US PRESIDENT DONALD Trump’s national security adviser says information the president shared with the Russians was “wholly appropriate”, adding that the president “wasn’t aware” where it came from.
The adviser, HR McMaster, says Trump’s revelation “in no way” compromised intelligence sources and methods.
The intelligence information reportedly came from a US ally in the region.
The Washington Post reported yesterday that Trump had shared details about an Islamic State terror threat related with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak during a meeting at the White House last week.
McMaster did not deny that Trump discussed classified information but would not go into detail about what aspects of the conversation were classified.
Concerns have been raised that Trump’s decision to pass on the information may have compromised intelligence relationships the US has with its allies.
“The president in no way compromised any sources or methods in this conversation,” McMaster said.
I should just make this statement here, that the president wasn’t even aware of where this information came from. He wasn’t briefed on the source or method of the conversation either.
Trump said in a tweet earlier today that he had the authority to share “facts pertaining to terrorism” and airline safety with Russia.
- With reporting by Associated Press
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