Speaking Thursday in a meeting with administration staff President Donald Trump suggested a whistleblower who filed a complaint against him committed treason and should face capital punishment execution.
The Los Angeles Times first reported Trump’s disturbing remarks, and just published an audio clip.
“I want to know who’s the person, who’s the person who gave the whistleblower the information?” Trump asked at the private event. “Because that’s close to a spy.”
“You know what we used to do in the old days when we were smart? Right? The spies and treason, we used to handle it a little differently than we do now.”
A laugh from a Trump supporter can be heard in the background.
Listen:
Legal experts have said Trump’s remarks amount to obstruction of justice and witness intimidation.
The whistleblower’s official complaint has been declassified and can be read here. A so-called “transcript,” really notes from White House aides summarizing the call between Trump and the Ukraine President, can be read here.