IT'S ABOUT TIME – AT 11:29 A.M. ET:  Maybe the administration is getting serious about plugging the leaks that have been so damaging, and have made it so hard for the president to govern.

As we've said here before, leaks are not benign.  There may be some that are initiated by true patriots who see something outrageous that is improperly classified and decide to take the risk of leaking.  But I'm afraid many leaks are made for partisan, petty purposes, to do damage to the political opposition by the improper disclosure of classified information.  From Fox: 

Anthony Scaramucci, the new White House communications director, said Sunday that stopping damaging West Wing leaks is a top priority and that he will take “drastic action" to achieve that goal.

“We have to get the leaks stopped,” Scaramucci, named Friday to the post, told “Fox News Sunday.”

“What’s going on right now is a high level of unprofessionalism, and it’s not helping the president. … I will take drastic action to stop the leaks.”

Trump’s roughly 7-month-old presidency has been mired in the controversy about Russia meddling in the 2016 White House race and whether Trump associates were involved.

The controversy has been fueled in part by information leaked inside and outside of the White House.
Scaramucci on Sunday said he would “pare down the staff” to stop White House leaks, but made clear that such efforts will be limited to the communication office and that he wants to start anew.

“As far as I’m concerned, there will be a new start for everybody on the team,” said Scaramucci, whose appointment as communications director forced the resignation of Sean Spicer, who had held that post.

Scaramucci, a former Wall Street executive, acknowledged that he could never change Washington culture and stop the leaks coming from federal agencies within an administration.

He also said the mainstream media still has a “level of objectivity,” but allowed that so-called “fake news” exists to the extent “some individuals ... do stretch stories.”

COMMENT:  I like this guy.  He's very tough, but balances his strength with a diplomatic approach.  I think he'll work out.  But you may be sure that the so-called mainstream press is already researching him to dig up anything negative they can find.

July 23,  2017