The Washington Post reported Trump divulged sensitive information during a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and ambassador Sergey Kislyak at the White House last Wednesday. | Getty 9 times Trump criticized others for mishandling classified information

President Donald Trump's handling of classified information has come under scrutiny following reports he divulged "highly classified" information during a meeting with Russian officials last week at the White House.

The president, though, has a history of routinely lashing out at political opponents, detractors and even former members of his own administration for mishandling closely guarded intelligence in the past.


Here are nine times Trump has slammed others for their handling of classified information.

1. Trump accuses Yates of leaking classified intelligence

"Ask Sally Yates, under oath, if she knows how classified information got into the newspapers soon after she explained it to W.H. Counsel," Trump tweeted on May 8, following Yates' testimony before Congress on Russian election interference and potential ties to the Trump administration.

Ask Sally Yates, under oath, if she knows how classified information got into the newspapers soon after she explained it to W.H. Counsel. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 8, 2017





2. Trump calls for leakers in federal government to be found

"The real story that Congress, the FBI and all others should be looking into is the leaking of Classified information. Must find leaker now!" the president said on social media in response to continuing coverage of the ongoing probe into potential collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia.

The real story that Congress, the FBI and all others should be looking into is the leaking of Classified information. Must find leaker now! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 20, 2017





3. Trump calls for increased scrutiny of 'illegal leaks'

After Attorney General Jeff Sessions' March recusal from the Trump-Russia investigation, the president said on Twitter that the "real story" was rather "all of the illegal leaks of classified and other information. It is a total 'witch hunt!'"

...is all of the illegal leaks of classified and other information. It is a total "witch hunt!" — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 3, 2017





4. Trump: Classified information given to media 'could have a devastating effect on U.S.'

Trump slammed the FBI on Twitter in late-March following reports that Chief of Staff Reince Priebus had asked the bureau to push back on negative stories tying Trump campaign associates and Russia. The president said the FBI was "totally unable" to stop leakers and said the result "have a devastating effect on U.S."

The FBI is totally unable to stop the national security "leakers" that have permeated our government for a long time. They can't even...... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 24, 2017





find the leakers within the FBI itself. Classified information is being given to media that could have a devastating effect on U.S. FIND NOW — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 24, 2017





5. Trump calls on The New York Times to apologize for publishing 'illegal classified' leaks

After new reports of contacts between Trump campaign and Russian officials, the president demanded that the Times apologize for unearthing relevant details.

Leaking, and even illegal classified leaking, has been a big problem in Washington for years. Failing @nytimes (and others) must apologize! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 16, 2017





6. Trump: Classified intel given out 'like candy'

After new reports of contacts between Trump campaign and Russian officials, the president said the "real scandal" was that "classified information is illegally given out by intelligence like candy."

The real scandal here is that classified information is illegally given out by "intelligence" like candy. Very un-American! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 15, 2017

7. Trump accuses State Department of seeking to 'cover up classified emails' for Clinton

In the throes of a heated general election bout, Trump cited a Washington Examiner article accusing the State Department of "quid pro quo" as part of an attempt to cover up details regarding the Hillary Clinton email controversy.

CORRUPTION CONFIRMED: FBI confirms State Dept. offered 'quid pro quo' to cover up classified emailshttps://t.co/A3mCNBLCsO — Official Team Trump (@TeamTrump) October 17, 2016





8. Trump, hailing WikiLeaks, rips 'Crooked' Clinton for her handling of classified information

Following the release of a trove of emails from the Hillary Clinton campaign through WikiLeaks, then-candidate Trump blasted "Crooked" Clinton for mishandling intelligence while in office.

WikiLeaks proves even the Clinton campaign knew Crooked mishandled classified info, but no one gets charged? RIGGED! https://t.co/FgGxDsS0a1 — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 17, 2016





9. Trump: Clinton 'not fit' for presidency due to 'extremely careless' handling of intel

Trump, just weeks out from officially clinching the Republican nomination at the Republican National Convention in July, said Clinton was "not fit" for office due to her "extremely careless in their handling of very sensitive, highly classified information."

Crooked Hillary Clinton and her team "were extremely careless in their handling of very sensitive, highly classified information." Not fit! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 6, 2016



