Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) asked FBI Director James Comey on Monday whether reporters could be prosecuted for leaks — despite a longstanding tradition and court history of not prosecuting the press.
“Is there an exception in the law for current or former U.S. officials requesting anonymity?” Gowdy asked Comey during testimony about Russia’s interference in the U.S. election. Gowdy was asking about U.S. statute that forbids the leaking of classified material.
The FBI director said there was not an exception for U.S. officials.