Sessions: We're Cracking Down, Leakers Will Be Prosecuted to the Fullest Extent of the Law

Speaking from the Justice Department Friday morning, Attorney General Jeff Sessions updated the public about efforts to track down leakers exposing classified information through the press and warned media outlets subpoena policy for reporters is being reviewed.

"This nation must end this culture of leaks," Sessions said. "We will not allow rogue anonymous sources with security clearance to sell out our country."

During his remarks Sessions lamented a number of recent news reports containing classified information and said upon review, will be making changes.

"Just yesterday, we saw reports in the media about conversations the President had with foreign leaders. No one is entitled to surreptitiously fight their battles in the media by revealing sensitive government information. No government can be effective when its leaders cannot discuss sensitive matters in confidence or to talk freely in confidence with foreign leaders," he said.

"I have listened to career investigators and prosecutors about how to most successfully investigate and prosecute these matters. At their suggestion, one of the things we are doing is reviewing policies affecting media subpoenas. We respect the important role that the press plays and will give them respect, but it is not unlimited. They cannot place lives at risk with impunity. We must balance their role with protecting our national security and the lives of those who serve in our intelligence community, the armed forces, and all law abiding Americans," he continued.

Sessions also outlined major steps being taken to prevent the exposure of classified information.

"For the past several months, we have already made changes and are seriously ramping up our efforts. First, I directed my Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein—whose district in Maryland encompassed the NSA headquarters and who has personally led these kinds of investigations— and FBI Director Christopher Wray to oversee all classified leak investigations and actively monitor the progress of each and every case," Sessions said. "Second, I directed the National Security Division and U.S. Attorneys to prioritize cases involving unauthorized disclosures. The Department will not hesitate to bring lawful and appropriate criminal charges against those who abuse the nation’s trust."

"Third, as I said, we tripled the number of active leak investigations. In response, the FBI has increased resources devoted to leak cases and created a new counterintelligence unit to manage these cases. Simultaneously, the Department is reviewing policies that impact leak investigations," he continued.