On Tuesday, as GOP lawmakers met to select who will lead their House minority in the upcoming term, leakers revealed Republican 'bellyaching' over leaks. Word that members of the party are despairing over leaks came amidst a raging fight over the GOP's future in the wake of its historic midterm disaster.
"Some Republicans are bellyaching about leaks," noted Punchbowl News founder Jake Sherman. Politico congressional reporter Mia Camille McCarthy corroborated, elaborating, "[Rep. Jim] Jordan (R-OH) and [Rep. Steve] Scalise (R-LA) got asked about leaks, people in the room tell me. They both said they hate leaks, according to the people." The internet was quick to notice the irony of the leaked leaks. "Leaking about leaks is one of my favorite tweet genres," joked one commenter. "That's like complaining about barking at a kennel," jested another.
While the leaking of secret information happens during all administrations, President Donald Trump's two terms have been characterized by revelations about everything from controversial policies and actions, to flaws in Air Force One security, to the existence of resistance groups within the White House, to "MAGA blood feuds," and more. What's more, the wider Republican Party has recently been hit by a number of damaging leaks. In October, Politico published roughly 2,900 pages of encrypted Telegram group chats between Young Republican leaders that contained a slew of racist, sexist and antisemitic comments and jokes, and earlier in the year, similarly troubling group chats between Republican student leaders in Florida were published by the Miami Herald.
Republican lawmakers have complained about leaks before. Last week, following the party's dramatic midterm losses, Rep. Michael Baumgartner (R-WA) warned his fellow conservatives against speaking to Sherman — known for his frequent scoops on Capitol Hill -- saying that anyone who did should not come to him for support in leadership roles. “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,” Baumgartner posted. “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.” He added, “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.” According to the Daily Beast, Sherman reacted to a similar post by Baumgartner -- in which the representative complained about “un-patriotic attention seekers currying favor with slimy journalists" -- with a simple “lol.”
