Dana Perino Tweets Rules On Administration Leaks And Who Is Most Likely Behind Them

By Jay Caruso | 10:00 AM on February 28, 2017

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Every White House administration is going to grapple with people leaking information to the press. It shouldn’t surprise anybody and to be caught off guard reveals a level a naivete about how Washington D.C. works. Even opinion journalists like me are given information based on the promise of anonymity. So it should be expected reporters from CNN, The Washington Post, The NY Times and other media outlets will get information on background.

Dana Perino, President George W. Bush’s Press Secretary for two years, sent out some tweets today about leaks and what she learned during her time in the White House:

Dana's rule on leaks: whoever first complains about the leak is most often the leaker. #trustme

— Dana Perino (@DanaPerino) February 27, 2017

Also: press office is LEAST likely to leak. Because it always has to mop up the leak. The complaints are TO the press office.

— Dana Perino (@DanaPerino) February 27, 2017

Third rule? Most leakers think they're being helpful in some way to whatever their cause/purpose. Difficult but not impossible to stop. https://t.co/TuDkwa9q0t

— Dana Perino (@DanaPerino) February 28, 2017

Final rule: I always assumed everything would leak. I lived in a constant state of prepared paranoia. Often sleepless, rarely surprised! 👍

— Dana Perino (@DanaPerino) February 28, 2017

Based on some of that, Katty Kay asked:

Which would suggest the President is also leaking? https://t.co/jwfpsnHMqX

— Katty Kay (@KattyKay_) February 28, 2017

Perino replied to clear up any notion the President is the one engaging in the leaking of the information:

No. That's not how it works. Leaker complains to press office, someone alerts potus to the story. Then potus complains. He doesn't leak. https://t.co/5OPYKYVdWT

— Dana Perino (@DanaPerino) February 28, 2017

I think her final rule is one Sean Spicer should learn. He should just assume news is going to leak and not be surprised when there is information he thought was private, becomes public.

Sean should live in that constant state of prepared paranoia.