President Trump on Thursday called for The New York Times and other publications to apologize after reporting leaked information, saying the spotlight is on "low-life leakers."

"Leaking, and even illegal classified leaking, has been a big problem in Washington for years," the president tweeted.

In a subsequent tweet, the president said those who leaked information will be caught.

"The spotlight has finally been put on the low-life leakers!" he tweeted.

"They will be caught!"

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

The spotlight has finally been put on the low-life leakers! They will be caught! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 16, 2017

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The president, who praised WikiLeaks during the presidential campaign for leaking information about Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonHillicon Valley: FBI chief says Russia is trying to interfere in election to undermine Biden | Treasury Dept. sanctions Iranian government-backed hackers The Hill's Campaign Report: Arizona shifts towards Biden | Biden prepares for drive-in town hall | New Biden ad targets Latino voters FBI chief says Russia is trying to interfere in election to undermine Biden MORE, has been going after the intelligence community recently and accusing officials of leaking information since the resignation of his national security adviser, Michael Flynn.

Flynn's resignation came after reports, citing unidentified sources, that Flynn misled top White House officials about the contents of phone calls he had with Russia's ambassador to the U.S. before Trump was sworn in.

On Tuesday, The New York Times cited four unidentified U.S. officials in a report that said Trump campaign staffers had "repeated contacts" with Russian officials during the election.

Trump on Wednesday accused the intelligence community of giving out leaks "like candy."

"The real scandal here is that classified information is illegally given our by 'intelligence' like candy. Very un-American!" he posted on Twitter.

House Oversight Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz Jason ChaffetzThe myth of the conservative bestseller Elijah Cummings, Democratic chairman and powerful Trump critic, dies at 68 House Oversight panel demands DeVos turn over personal email records MORE (R-Utah) on Wednesday asked the Justice Department's inspector general to investigate the intelligence leaks that led to the ousting of Flynn.

"Over the last several days, there have been a series of news articles recounting potentially classified national security information," Chaffetz wrote in a letter, which was also signed by the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Bob Goodlatte Robert (Bob) William GoodlatteNo documents? Hoping for legalization? Be wary of Joe Biden Press: Trump's final presidential pardon: himself USCIS chief Cuccinelli blames Paul Ryan for immigration inaction MORE (R-Va.).



"We have serious concerns about the potential protection of classified information here. ... The release of classified information can, by definition, have grave effects on national security. In light of this, we request that your office begin an immediate investigation into whether classified information was mishandled here."