Trump blasts 'illegal’ intelligence leaks over Flynn

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US President Donald Trump on Wednesday slammed the “unfair” treatment of his former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, who resigned on Monday over Russian contacts, and blamed his own government for leaking intelligence.

“I think it’s very, very unfair what’s happened to General Flynn, the way he was treated, and the documents and papers that were illegally, I stress that, illegally leaked,” Trump said during a joint press conference with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

He called Flynn “a wonderful man,” adding “I think he’s been treated very, very unfairly by the media.”

Michael Flynn. /CGTN Screenshot

Flynn was forced to quit after misleading US Vice President Mike Pence about conversations with Russia before Trump took office. He denies however crossing any lines or discussing sanctions against Russia.

US President Donald Trump spreaks at a joint news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on February 15, 2017. /CFP Photo

US lawmakers are demanding Michael Flynn testify before Congress. Some Republicans are even demanding an independent inquiry. They want to get to bottom of the claims as much as to try to stop internal battles between intelligence community and the White House.

Russia has remained tight-lipped about the issue, saying this was an internal matter for the United States.

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