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WASHINGTON – The White House press secretary on Monday urged the Justice Department to investigate the person who last week wrote an anonymous criticism of President Trump, echoing the president's request for such an investigation.
"If this person participates in meetings where national security or other important issues are discussed and attempts to undermine the executive power, this would certainly be a problem and should be considered by the Ministry of Justice." said Sarah Sanders. briefing.
Last week, Trump said he wanted Attorney General Jeff Sessions to open an investigation into the New York Times administrator in his administration, which was only assigned to a senior administration official. The administration of Mr. Trump which aims to reduce his "worst inclinations".
The President expressed concern that the author may be involved in discussions on national security issues. "I do not want it in these meetings," he said.
A spokesman for the Justice Ministry declined to comment on Monday. When Trump spoke of the possibility of an investigation last week, a spokesman for the ministry said the agency did not confirm or refuse the investigations.
Presidents generally avoid calling for investigations from the Department of Justice, especially those related to their own administrations, to avoid the perception of interference in the affairs of departments. Mr. Trump has done so many times.
A parade of top executives of Trump's administration publicly denied having written the column last week.
Mrs. Sanders declined Monday to say what crime the author of the column might have committed. "I am not a lawyer," she said. "It is the job of the Justice Department to make this decision, and we are asking them to take care of it."
Asked if the president knew that the column was protected by the first amendment, Ms. Sanders said: "This concerns less that part and if someone is actively trying to undermine the executive power and a duly member. elected. President."
She declined to say whether the White House was launching an internal search for the author of the column, which she described as "inconsistent."
Rudy Giuliani, the president's lawyer, said in an interview on Monday that Trump was upset by the publication of the column, but "not as upset as I thought."
Mr. Giuliani also stated that the columnist should be investigated, asking, "Who should say that he is not a person with a superior security clearance?"
Giuliani said he thought the author was working in the field of foreign policy and that it was important to identify the person because he might disclose sensitive information in the future.
"A person who would do that is very likely to decide for himself what he should let go and what he should not lose," Giuliani said. "He may think that it is justified to disclose information about national security."
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