Trump says federal officials who leak to media ‘should be shot’

Key Points:

• President Donald Trump stated at a campaign rally that government leakers of sensitive information should face fatal consequences, saying "leakers should be shot," particularly when leaks compromise military operations.
• Trump cited a reportedly leaked U.S. military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities in June 2025, which he said he had to call off due to leaked timing details published by major news outlets.
• He condemned leakers as "the scum of the Earth" and equated journalists reporting on such leaks to leakers themselves, accusing the media of spreading false information.
• Since returning to office, Trump's administration has intensified efforts to curb leaks, including requiring nondisclosure agreements from federal employees and subjecting military personnel to polygraph tests about sharing classified information.
• The administration also authorized a search of a Washington Post reporter’s home in a classified materials investigation, though courts have limited the government's ability to examine the seized data, with no further appeals pending.