Former Obama administration official Susan Rice said Sunday that the intelligence leaks in the Manchester terrorism investigation were "very concerning" and added President Trump and British Prime Minister Theresa May were correct to express outrage.
United Kingdom officials temporarily suspended intelligence sharing with the United States last month after leaks from U.S. officials to the media about the investigation into the suicide bombing. May confronted Trump over the leaks when they met at NATO headquarters, and Trump ordered an investigation.
Rice, who served as Barack Obama's National Security Adviser, was asked by ABC host George Stephanopoulos about the leaks and how serious a breach they represented.
"These leaks are very concerning," she said. "We are able to work so closely and effectively with partners like the United Kingdom because they trust us and we trust them."
Leaks of that nature can compromise the progress of an investigation, Rice said.
"I think Prime Minister May was correct to express her concern to the president," she said. "The president was correct to express his outrage at this, and it's incumbent upon the administration, as well as our state and local law enforcement, to hold carefully and closely confidential, classified information."