President Donald Trump accused congressional Democrats Thursday of leaking classified intelligence assessments regarding last weekend’s airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, demanding prosecution for what he characterized as criminal behavior. The President made the allegations on Truth Social following reports that questioned the effectiveness of the military operation.
Trump wrote on his social media platform that “The Democrats are the ones who leaked the information on the PERFECT FLIGHT to the Nuclear Sites in Iran. They should be prosecuted!” The statement came after media outlets reported on a preliminary Defense Intelligence Agency assessment suggesting the strikes had set back Iran’s nuclear program by months rather than years.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the leak investigation during her first news conference since the bombings Thursday afternoon. She confirmed the FBI is actively investigating who shared the classified documents. Leavitt indicated that someone with access to top secret intelligence acted irresponsibly by sharing information that should have remained private.
The leaked DIA document was drafted Sunday and uploaded Monday evening to the CAPNET platform, which intelligence agencies use to share classified information with Congress. CNN’s Natasha Bertrand first revealed details from the preliminary assessment Tuesday, with other major news outlets quickly following with confirmatory reporting.
Leavitt emphasized that very few government officials had access to the DIA report before Tuesday’s leak. She suggested the disclosure was deliberately undertaken to undermine the significance of the strikes, which resulted in a ceasefire between Iran and Israel. The Press Secretary described leaking classified intelligence as a crime requiring accountability.
The administration maintains the weekend operation, dubbed Operation Midnight Hammer, successfully obliterated Iran’s nuclear sites at Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz. Seven B-2 bombers launched bunker-busting bombs at the fortified facilities Saturday night, marking the first combat use of 15-ton GBU-57 bunker buster weapons.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth contradicted aspects of the leaked intelligence during a notable press conference Thursday. He stated he had not encountered evidence suggesting Iran relocated enriched uranium before the bombing, directly challenging reports that 400 kilograms of highly-enriched uranium was moved from Fordow to an undisclosed location prior to the attack.
Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, dismissed Trump’s prosecution threats against Democrats. Warner noted his consistent position that leaks should be prosecuted while criticizing the administration’s handling of classified information through non-classified channels. Both Warner and committee Chairman Tom Cotton declined to answer whether they knew of the DIA assessment before its public disclosure.
A spokesman for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer denied the Brooklyn Democrat was briefed on the intelligence report before it leaked. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rick Crawford expressed frustration with the repeated mishandling of classified information by those entrusted to safeguard sensitive materials.
The Trump administration has consistently characterized the Iranian strikes as a complete success. Leavitt praised the operation as one of the most successful missions in United States history, describing it as a total obliteration of Iran’s nuclear sites. She credited Trump’s leadership with moving the Middle East away from chaos toward peace and prosperity.
Iranian officials have acknowledged significant damage to their nuclear facilities. The Foreign Ministry admitted nuclear sites were badly damaged by the strikes, while lawmakers voted almost unanimously to suspend cooperation with the United Nations nuclear watchdog in response to the attacks.
The intelligence leak controversy has intensified amid broader debates over the strikes’ effectiveness and the administration’s transparency with Congress. Democratic lawmakers have complained about insufficient information sharing regarding Trump’s decision to target Iranian nuclear facilities, while Republican leaders have expressed confidence in thorough investigations into any security breaches.
Trump has not specified which Democrats he believes were responsible for the leak. Leavitt expressed confidence that the President’s team remains strong and suggested the disclosure was clearly intended to undermine Trump’s leadership. The FBI investigation continues as the administration seeks to identify the source of the unauthorized intelligence sharing.
