Ruppersberger Introduces “OOPS Act” to Control Damage From Classified Disclosures by POTUS

(Washington, D.C.) – Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger today introduced the “Oppose Oversharing by Presidents Act” – or “OOPS Act” – to mitigate disclosures of classified information from the President of the United States. The bill comes amid reports that President Donald Trump has revealed closely-guarded military information to foreign leaders.

 

The OOPS Act directs the National Security Council, in consultation with the Director of National Intelligence and the Attorney General, to create a mitigation process in the event of a disclosure of classified information by the President. Congress needs to ensure that procedures in place for the proper disclosure of classified information by government officials are applicable to the President, and that improper disclosures are reported to Congress. 

 

“So far, the President has reportedly revealed the location of nuclear submarines and disclosed intelligence shared by our allies to Russian operatives – and these are only the ones we know about,” Congressman Ruppersberger said. “Even disclosure of a small detail can sometimes complete a complicated intelligence picture for our adversaries. He was elected six months ago and the President still hasn’t learned that these missteps can have tremendous consequences on our national security.”

 

“We must have the proper protocols and mitigation procedures in place by the Executive Branch to assess the damage should this happen again and ensure that any future disclosures by the President do not put Americans and our trusted allies at risk.”

 

Already, Israel has changed its intelligence-sharing protocols with the U.S. after Trump disclosed information reportedly obtained through an intelligence-sharing arrangement between the two countries. Trump reportedly passed the information on to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Ambassador Sergey Kislyak during an Oval Office visit. 

 

Congressman Ruppersberger is former Ranking Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and a member of the “Gang of Eight,” privy to some of the nation’s most sensitive information. He is currently an appropriator on the Defense Subcommittee, which funds the intelligence community.