Congressman Cleaver’s Statement on Trump Administration’s Extraordinary, Incompetent Breach of National Security
(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) released the following statement after reports that the Trump Administration’s national security team shared classified war plans and sensitive national security information with the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic on an unsecure group chat that was scheduled to be deleted, breaking public information laws.
“Public reporting, including confirmation from White House officials, of the Trump Administration’s national security team – including the Secretary of Defense, the National Security Adviser, and the Vice President - discussing classified war plans and other sensitive national security information on an unsecure group chat and in front of a national reporter is not only a perfect illustration of the gross incompetence of the current administration, but it also appears to be a clear violation of federal laws.
“As Democrats stated repeatedly during the Cabinet confirmation process: the danger with installing loyalists over qualified, nonpartisan experts in senior security positions is that loyalists typically lack the competence necessary to lead America’s security apparatus in the face of the complex and global threats we face today. Discussing classified information and battle plans on unsecured devices endangers our men and women in uniform abroad and undermines America’s national security at home. In less than two months, the Secretary of Defense and the president’s National Security Adviser have proven this point in one of the most extraordinary breaches of American national security in modern history. I am appalled that this appears to be the Trump Administration’s normal way of doing business.
“Congress cannot allow such a reckless and dangerous violation of security protocols and federal law to go unchallenged. The House of Representatives and the Senate should start immediate, thorough, and encapsulating investigations into how such an alarming blunder was possible and ensure all responsible individuals are held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Anything less disrespects the brave men and women who continue to serve in the U.S. military.”
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Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.