McMaster: Trump didn't give Russia highly classified info

WASHINGTON (WTXF/AP) - National security adviser H.R. McMaster stood by his statement denying a Washington Post report President Donald Trump revealed highly classified information to Russian officials.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday, McMaster said the "premise of that article is false." He added Trump did not have a "conversation that was inappropriate or resulted in any kind of lapse in national security.

McMaster said the real threat to national security was leakers "releasing information to the press."

Monday, The Washington Post reported Trump shared classified information with Russian officials that jeopardized an intelligence source.

McMaster told reporters after the story broke: "I was in the room. It didn't happen."

Midday Tuesday, he said information president shared with the Russians was "wholly appropriate" and based on "open source reporting," and "in no way" compromised intelligence sources and methods.

McMcaster did not deny that Trump discussed classified information.

Trump said in a tweet earlier Tuesday that he had the authority to share "facts pertaining to terrorism" and airline safety with Russia.