President Trump said Sunday that he did not tell some congressional leaders about the U.S. military raid in which ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was killed, citing "Washington leaks."

Trump said at the White House that "some" leaders were notified and that others were being informed as he announced the death of the terror group's leader to the public.

"We were going to notify them last night, but we decided not to do that because Washington leaks like I’ve never seen before," Trump said. "There’s no country in the world that leaks like we do, and Washington is a leaking machine." ADVERTISEMENT

"I told my people we will not notify them until our great people are out — not just in but out," Trump added.

He later confirmed that Speaker Nancy Pelosi Nancy PelosiDemocratic senator to party: 'A little message discipline wouldn't kill us' Overnight Health Care: New wave of COVID-19 cases builds in US | Florida to lift all coronavirus restrictions on restaurants, bars | Trump stirs questions with 0 drug coupon plan Overnight Defense: Appeals court revives House lawsuit against military funding for border wall | Dems push for limits on transferring military gear to police | Lawmakers ask for IG probe into Pentagon's use of COVID-19 funds MORE (D-Calif.) was not notified in advance.

He said he did speak with Sens. Lindsey Graham Lindsey Olin GrahamLincoln Project mocks Lindsey Graham's fundraising lag with Sarah McLachlan-themed video The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Republicans lawmakers rebuke Trump on election Trump dumbfounds GOP with latest unforced error MORE (R-S.C.) and Richard Burr Richard Mauze BurrHillicon Valley: Subpoenas for Facebook, Google and Twitter on the cards | Wray rebuffs mail-in voting conspiracies | Reps. raise mass surveillance concerns Bipartisan representatives demand answers on expired surveillance programs Rep. Mark Walker says he's been contacted about Liberty University vacancy MORE (R-N.C.) about the operation following its conclusion.

"I wanted to make sure this was kept secret. I don't want to have men lost and women. I don’t want to have people lost," he said.

He said that a "leak could have caused the death of all of them."

Trump said no U.S. forces were killed during the raid.

Reports began to surface late Saturday that U.S. forces had carried out a raid in northwest Syria and that al-Baghdadi was believed to have been killed.

Trump tweeted Saturday night that "something very big has just happened," teasing his Sunday announcement.

He said the tweet went out after U.S. forces returned safely from the mission.