Senate Republican Leader Lindsey Graham has blasted Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s praise for Jack Teixeira, the 21–year–old Air National Guardsman arrested last week for leaking classified military documents.
The leaked documents, some of which U.S. officials have indicated are doctored, showed NATO intelligence about the war in Ukraine, including death tolls and the training of Ukrainian troops.
“If you’re a member of the military intelligence community and you disagree with American policy and you think you’re going to be okay when it comes to leaking classified information, you’re going to go to jail,” Graham said during an interview on ABC’s “This Week.” “It’s one of the most irresponsible statements she could make.”
Graham argued that Rep. Greene’s suggestion that Teixeira’s actions were justified because of his political views “will destroy America’s ability to defend itself.”
“What they’re suggesting will destroy America’s ability to defend itself,” Graham said. “That it’s OK to release classified information based on your political views. That the ends justify the means. And for any member of Congress to suggest it’s OK to leak classified information because you agree with the cause is terribly irresponsible and puts America in serious danger.”
Sen. Graham has been a staunch supporter of the Ukrainian government in its fight against Russia, and has pressed the Biden administration and other lawmakers to allow for even more American support of Ukraine, even as some of his colleagues have started to question U.S. involvement.
Many are standing with Senator Graham in his condemnation of Rep. Greene’s irresponsible statement, urging her to retract her support for the leaked documents. Our nation’s security should come first and any attempts to undermine the safety of our citizens should be rejected.
After Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene defends alleged Pentagon leaker, GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham tells @jonkarl, “For any member of Congress to suggest it’s OK to leak classified information because you agree with the cause is terribly irresponsible." https://t.co/n5PvaC6H4o pic.twitter.com/7OUh4e0tON
— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) April 16, 2023
