Story perspectives

White House Issues Zero-Tolerance Memo to Halt Staff Leaks

5/10/2026

Summary

Story summary

Politico released a leaked memo from White House aide Susie Wiles on Friday ordering staff stop leaks.
The memo requires staff to obtain approval from Communications Office before speaking to reporters.
White House spokesperson Liz Huston defended the policy, saying administration has zero-tolerance stance on unauthorized media contact.
The memo warns violations could disrupt operations, endanger missions, and follows tensions with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and President Donald Trump.

History

Historical Context

During the 1971 Pentagon Papers crisis, Richard Nixon’s administration ordered Attorney General John Mitchell to halt The New York Times’ publication of a 7,000-page classified study, prompting the Supreme Court’s New York Times Co. v. United States decision that affirmed press freedom. The episode created the White House “Plumbers” unit and set a precedent echoed by a 2024 White House memo requiring staff clearance before speaking to reporters.

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Story summary

Politico released a leaked memo from White House aide Susie Wiles on Friday ordering staff stop leaks.
The memo requires staff to obtain approval from Communications Office before speaking to reporters.
White House spokesperson Liz Huston defended the policy, saying administration has zero-tolerance stance on unauthorized media contact.
The memo warns violations could disrupt operations, endanger missions, and follows tensions with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and President Donald Trump.

1 / 2