President Donald Trump opined on Wednesday about what he would like to see happen to those who leak military information to the media.

During a rally speech in Bullhead City, Arizona, Trump discussed an apparent bombing raid against Iran that had to be postponed due to supposed leaks about the mission details. He alleged that The New York Times and CNN had reported the leaks, which he said showed when troops would leave and when they’d arrive. Trump also claimed that Iran’s military was “waiting for” American troops.

Although Trump did not specify which attack he was referring to, he said, in his opinion, “leakers should be shot.”

“In the old days, we used to shoot leakers, you know?” Trump said. “When they leak what time you’re going to attack a country, and the reason you’re attacking is really for defense, because you don’t want them to have a weapon that can blow up millions of people at one shot.”

He added that leakers should be “dealt with very, very strongly,” and called them the “scum of the earth.”

Trump: In my opinion, leakers should be shot. In the old days, we used to shoot leakers. pic.twitter.com/lDYsafS8HZ

Trump then pivoted from discussing leakers to reporters, claiming they were “almost as bad as a leaker because they leak false information.”

“That makes them a leaker — oftentimes without a source,” Trump said.

Trump’s remarks align with threats Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has made against the press. In July, Hegseth announced the formation of a joint task force with the Justice Department to identify and prosecute those who share sensitive information with the media.

“Leaked information risks lives,” Hegseth said. “These new tools and processes will greatly assist us in protecting our joint force.”

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