#WHCInsider

Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced a government-wise, comprehensive effort to crackdown on government “leakers,” including a review of the Justice Department’s policies toward media outlets that publish information that is considered sensitive.

Joined by Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats, the attorney general said agencies will direct additional resources into investigations of leaks, and would focus on prosecuting individuals that relay sensitive information to the media or foreign agents.

“We respect the important role the press plays and we’ll give them respect, but it’s not unlimited,” Sessions said. “They cannot place lives at risk with impunity. We must balance the press’ role with protecting our national security and the lives of those who serve in the intelligence community, the Armed Forces and all law-abiding Americans.”

Sessions declined to elaborate on specific investigations, but noted that four individuals have already been charged with the unlawful release of government information.

A new survey released by The Economist and YouGov suggests that a plurality of Republican adults favor courts being able to shut down media outlets.

“Generally speaking, do you favor or oppose permitting the courts to shut down news media outlets for publishing or broadcasting stories that are biased or inaccurate – or haven’t you heard enough about that yet to say?” the poll asked of 1,500 U.S. adults.

By a margin of 45% to 20%, Republicans said courts should have the authority to control the media and free speech.  (35% of respondents said they haven’t heard enough to make a choice.)  The number dipped when looking at conservative respondents, 37% in favor to 23% opposed.

Similarly, respondents that voted for President Trump in 2016 agreed with the notion that courts should be able to curtail the First Amendment and shut down media outlets by similar margins, 45% supporting to 24% opposing.