The attorney general of US says four charged is crackdown on leaks

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The US attorney general has said four people have been charged over leaks as the Trump administration launched a crackdown on embarrassing disclosures. Jeff Sessions said the suspects were accused of divulging classified material or concealed contacts with foreign intelligence officers. America's top prosecutor said the administration has tripled the number of active leak probes since January. President Donald Trump has criticised Mr Sessions as "very weak" on leaks. Leaks 'staggering' At Friday's news conference, the attorney general said no government could be effective when its leaders could not talk freely in confidence with foreign leaders. "I strongly agree with the president and condemn in the strongest terms the staggering number of leaks undermining the ability of our government to protect this country," he told reporters. He said there had been a "dramatic" increase in recent months of unauthorised disclosures to the media and even foreign adversaries. The attorney general also said he wanted to review policies on media subpoenas - compelling journalists to reveal sources - to balance the role of the press with protecting national security. The move is likely to send a chill through US newsrooms that have been breaking almost daily scoops, which have embarrassed the White House.