'Red-faced' GOP lawmaker’s latest scheme to stop leaks gets leaked

Daily Beast reports a GOP lawmaker who fussed at colleagues for leaking to a top congressional reporter “was left red-faced when his latest tirade was leaked to that very same reporter.”

Rep. Michael Baumgartner (R-Wash.) castigated his colleagues last week, threatening anyone daring to share information with Punchbowl News co-founder Jake Sherman to not expect his backing for leadership positions.

“The slimiest member of the DC press corps who conspires with low integrity attention seekers to leak strategies being discussed in House Republican meetings is Jake Sherman,” wrote Baumgartner. “To be clear — If you want my vote for leadership you will commit to no on or off record interviews with Jake Sherman for as long as he leaks our confidential team meetings. If being in ‘Punchbowl’ is more important than keeping the confidentiality of your colleagues not only are you unfit for leadership, you shouldn’t call yourself a patriot.”

“Do not call me and ask for my vote unless you are willing to make that commitment,” he added.

But Baumgartner’s threats appeared to make little headway with his Republican comrades, considering his latest scheme against leaks during a closed-door House Republican Conference meeting was itself leaked to none other than Jake Sherman.

“In the House Republican Conference meeting this morning, Washington State @RepBaumgartner exhorted his colleagues in the room not to leak what’s going on in the meeting to reporters,” Sherman posted publicly on X soon after word of the statements got to him. “He recommended they hold House Republican Conference meetings in a SCIF.”

Daily Beast added that “SCIF” is short for “sensitive compartmented information facility,” a Defense Department name for an “ultra-secure room specially constructed for government officials to view sensitive information.” There are no personal electronics allowed inside SCIFs.

“Given that Baumgartner’s own colleagues appear to be leaking his remarks to Sherman, however, it’s unclear whether moving the meetings to a SCIF would solve the problem,” Daily Beast added.

Critics quickly drowned Sherman’s post with quips on the irony.

“Got to love a leak about not leaking,” posted one X user.

“The Republicans are the party that says government doesn't work and then they get elected and prove it," said another heckler, quoting writer PJ O’Rourke.

“Love that you tagged him,” posted fellow reporter Igor Bobic, of the Washington Sun.