Congressman Harrigan Condemns Congressional Leaks Amid Venezuela Operation Controversy

Congressman Pat Harrigan, R-N.C., stated on Saturday that he acknowledges Congress has a serious leak problem while underscoring the importance of constitutional and legal safeguards.

Harrigan confirmed President Donald Trump’s assertion that he purposefully did not inform members of Congress prior to U.S. special forces capturing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. He described this as evidence of the “leaking problem” lawmakers face, noting that some congressional figures cannot be trusted with sensitive information.

Speaking on “The Count,” Harrigan emphasized that leaks have occurred in the past and could arise again for “15 seconds of fame” or to promote causes differing from “the purpose and cause of freedom” in America. He framed the issue as critical beyond political disputes, warning that leaks endanger lives, national security, and military operations.

Harrigan stressed that the temptation to gain media attention or advance personal agendas has repeatedly eroded trust between Congress and the executive branch. He reiterated that constitutional and legal requirements remain intact, explaining Title 50 of U.S. law mandates notification of at least the Gang of Eight — the top Republican and Democratic leaders of the Senate and House along with chairs of their intelligence committees — before covert operations proceed.

Harrigan noted Trump did not inform the Gang of Eight until after the Venezuela operation began. He insisted these legal procedures exist for a reason and cannot be ignored, even during high-stakes scenarios. While acknowledging the administration’s frustration, Harrigan said, “The administration has got to clean that up.” He added, “We’re talking about a procedure here. We are talking about the law. We want to be reverential of that.”

Harrigan also cautioned against blaming Trump or Secretary of State Marco Rubio for their cautious approach, stating, “I would hesitate to say that I blame them if I was in their position, given the significance of this operation.” He concluded, “But we’ve got to figure that out as a country.”