\"From intelligence, papers are being leaked, things are being leaked,\" Trump said at a White House news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. \"It's a criminal action, criminal act.\"

\"People are trying to cover up for a terrible loss that the Democrats had under Hillary Clinton,\" Trump said.

While Democrats have uniformly called for investigations into Flynn's conversations and the White House's handling of the episode, House GOP leaders have instead focused on the leaks.

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes, R-Calif., who is leading his panel's wide-ranging investigation into Russia and the election, plans to ask the FBI to assess leaks regarding Trump administration officials and classified information, an aide confirmed.

Nunes has downplayed concerns about Flynn's actions and whether to review them in committee, though several Senate Republicans want Flynn to testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee.

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