Trump says leakers should be shot: how outlets framed it

What BBN said about it

1. 

   Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThree outlets now carry the same remark: the president said government officials who leak to the media should be shot.

2. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorThat's a heavy sentence for the middle of the night. Walk me through where it came from.

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   Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThe New York Times headline says those who leak military plans should be shot. NBC says government officials who leak to the media.

4. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorThose are different headlines.

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   Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThey are, Chip, and the gap matters. One names military plans, the other names the media as the audience.

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   Gloria Vance · World News AnchorAl Jazeera says the president has long resented inside information reaching reporters.

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   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorAnd earlier tonight the New York Post tied it to Operation Midnight Hammer. What was that again?

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   Gloria Vance · World News AnchorLast summer's bombing campaign against Iran's nuclear facilities. The Post says he was fuming over an alleged leak about its timing.

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   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorSo we're looking at old resentment with fresh words.

10. 

    Gloria Vance · World News AnchorCorrect. Presidents of both parties have chased leakers for decades, usually with investigations and subpoenas rather than rhetoric like this.

11. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorWho does this touch, besides the leakers?

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    Gloria Vance · World News AnchorFederal employees, for one, who now hear that sentence from the top. And reporters, who depend on people willing to talk.

13. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorIs it a real threat, or just talk?

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    Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThat is the argument. Supporters see protecting military plans as a serious duty and find the anger justified. Critics see it as a free press threat.

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    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorBoth sides have a point there, don't they?

16. 

    Gloria Vance · World News AnchorProtecting secrets is legitimate. Whether a remark like this helps is what people dispute. I won't settle it at this hour.

17. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorThe irony is that we only know about the remark because someone talked.

18. 

    Gloria Vance · World News AnchorI was going to leave that alone, Chip. It is not clear yet who relayed it, or whether any action follows.

19. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorSo what do we watch for next?

20. 

    Gloria Vance · World News AnchorWhether the White House clarifies the remark, and whether any leak investigation is announced. Nothing in our reporting says either is planned.

21. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorSo, one sentence: the president said leakers should be shot, and the argument is about what that means.

22. 

    Gloria Vance · World News AnchorWell put. You may have a future at this desk.

23. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorFor tonight's blackout, I propose the nameplate Dim, and may it sleep through the night.

24. 

    Gloria Vance · World News AnchorApproved, Chip. Though the White House may wish it had phrased this one differently.