Bush scolds Congress

The president limits access to classified information in an attempt to plug leaks on Capitol Hill.

By Jake Tapper

Oct. 9, 2001 | WASHINGTON -- Like a master hitting his dog with a rolled-up newspaper, President Bush scolded Congress on Tuesday for leaking classified information, calling the leaks "wrong" and "unacceptable."

Bush was particularly upset about a front-page above-the-fold story in last Friday's Washington Post, which detailed a meeting last Tuesday where FBI and CIA officials told members of Congress that there was a "100 percent" chance of another terrorist attack should the U.S. military launch a military operation in Afghanistan.

The incident last week was especially aggravating, Bush explained, as it came right before the U.S. military launched its attacks on Taliban and al-Qaida targets in Afghanistan. Bush also signed a memo Friday directing key members of the federal government to only share classified information with eight specific members of Congress -- the Democratic and Republican leaders of the House, Senate, and Intelligence Committees.

Asked about the memo on Tuesday in a press event with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, Bush explained the situation to his counterpart before answering the question.

"Mr. Chancellor, we had some security briefings take place up on Capitol Hill that were a discussion about classified information and some of that information was shared with the press," Bush said.

"Oh, we know that trouble," Schroeder moaned in agreement.

It's common wisdom in Washington that Congress leaks like a sieve, but in wartime that reality could have dire consequences. The problem is that while the White House does not trust members of Congress to keep secrets, there is that pesky Constitution, requiring congressional oversight over White House actions. Faced with these conflicting principles, Bush has chosen to err on the side of caution. "These are extraordinary times," Bush said. "Our nation has put our troops at risk, and therefore I felt it was important to send a clear signal to Congress that classified information must be held dear."

Bush didn't identify the leaker, but his anger was manifest. "Somebody -- or somebodies -- feel they should be allowed to talk about classified information. And that's just wrong. I want Congress to hear loud and clear it is unacceptable behavior to leak classified information when we have troops at risk." He acknowledged that his decision may have caused "some heartburn on Capitol Hill."

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