Report: Stephen Miller and DOJ Considered Imprisoning Journalists to Identify Leakers
Reports reveal Stephen Miller and the DOJ discussed plans to arrest journalists to uncover sources of national security leaks under the Trump administration.
POLICY WIRE — Washington, D.C. — The newly designated White House Chief of Staff, Stephen Miller, and the Department of Justice have reportedly weighed the incarceration of journalists to force the disclosure of their sources following leaks of government intelligence.
The allegations surfaced following the departure of Susie Wiles from her role. According to The Atlantic, President Donald Trump directed the Justice Department to initiate criminal investigations into leaks, citing concerns over national security.
Three individuals familiar with the matter indicated that White House officials have debated various strategies to compel media workers to identify their informants, including the possibility of arrests.
The report suggests internal friction regarding the strategy; while Wiles reportedly opposed pressuring journalists to reveal government sources, Miller supported the tactic. Miller expressed confidence that journalists would quickly agree to provide their sources.
A spokesperson for the Department of Justice denied the claims to The Atlantic, stating the reports are absolutely false, and maintained this stance when questioned by The Independent.
In response, a White House spokesperson told The Independent that the unauthorized sharing of sensitive national security data will never be tolerated, noting that such actions jeopardize American lives and national security. The official emphasized that those responsible must be held accountable.
Legally, it is not prohibited for journalists to possess or report on classified material obtained from a government source, even if that source committed a crime by sharing the information.
This legal tension dates back to 1971 when The New York Times published leaked documents regarding U.S. involvement in Vietnam. Although the Nixon administration attempted to block the publication, the Supreme Court ultimately ruled in favor of the freedom of the press.
Trump announced on Friday that Miller would succeed Wiles as Chief of Staff. Wiles was reportedly upset following the Republican Party’s loss of congressional control in recent midterm elections.
Miller, a consistent advocate for expanded executive power, enters the role as the president may need to rely more heavily on authority to implement his agenda. At 41, he is one of Trump’s longest-serving advisors, having served across both terms.
Miller is widely recognized for leading aggressive immigration policies, which face public opposition. A Reuters-Ips poll conducted earlier last week showed that only 36% of respondents support his mass deportation plan, while 54% oppose it.
On Truth Social, Trump expressed pleasure that Miller, the current Deputy Chief of Staff and a trusted advisor, would take over on Monday, November 9. He thanked Wiles for her outstanding work and noted she would transition to overseeing political operations.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)