Attorney General Eric Holder assigned two U.S. attorneys to lead investigations into possible leaks of state secrets on Friday. In a statement he said, “The unauthorized disclosure of classified information can compromise the security of this country and all Americans, and it will not be tolerated.” For the investigation, Holder assigned U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Ronald C. Machen Jr., a Democratic appointee, and U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein, a holdover GOP appointee, to lead the investigations.
“These two highly respected and experienced prosecutors will be directing separate investigations currently being conducted by the FBI. I have every confidence in their abilities to doggedly follow the facts and the evidence in the pursuit of justice wherever it leads,” Holder said. On early Friday, President Barack Obama strongly rejected claims that his White House has deliberately leaked secrets to the media, calling the idea “offensive” and that it would put Americans at risk. Republicans such as veteran Senator John McCain of Arizona, alleges that the White House must be knowingly involved because of the nature of the leaked information. However, the president continued to push back angrily as he was questioned on the issue at a news conference, saying he had “zero tolerance” for such leaks and that those responsible would “suffer consequences.”
