According to a report by the comprehensive Mediaite news website and the Associated Press, U.S. President Donald Trump stated on October 14 local time that government sources who disclose important military plans to the media should be "executed."
"In my view, the leak-monger should be executed." Trump said at a rally in Glendale, Arizona on July 14th. "We used to execute those who leaked secrets, did you know?"
Trump's remarks prompted many supporters at the scene to cheer.
Trump mentioned that when the United States plans to attack Iran in 2025, a leakster whom he called a "bastard" revealed relevant military plans to the New York Times and CNN.
In June 2025, the US military launched a large-scale military operation codenamed "Midnight Hammer," attacking three key nuclear facilities in Iran. Trump stated that the source revealed plans for the US military to deploy B-2 stealth bombers to strike Iranian nuclear facilities, including details such as the bombers' takeoff from Missouri and the specific departure time.
He stated that he had discussed with Dan Kane, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the United States, whether to cancel this operation, but ultimately decided to carry out Operation ‘Midnight Hammer’ as originally planned.
Nevertheless, this did not change Trump's view. He believed that these people should be "shot" for revealing classified information.
"When they leak your plan to attack a country at what time, and you launched the attack in defense of your own nation because you do not want the other side having a weapon capable of killing millions of people… the leaker should be subject to extremely severe punishment," Trump continued, "In my opinion, they are scum."
