W.H. Defends Secret Service Director Amid Reports He Tried Sabotaging Rep. Chaffetz

RUSH TRANSCRIPT:

ACOSTA: "Speaking of Congress, last week on Friday, secret service Joe Clancy acknowledged that he was changing his story, his recollection of when he first learned of people inside the agency looking into congressman Chaffetz's personal information. Is that acceptable to the president, the fact that the director is now changing his story on this?" 
EARNEST: "Jim, I think what director Clancy indicated is that after reviewing the report, he remembered that he had better information to provide them. And so to his credit, he proactively reached out to both the inspector general and to congressman Chaffetz to let them know. And that's what he did. I will say that the president certainly takes it this issue very serious will he. Is this sensitive information and the thought that something like this would be politicized is wrong 37 frgs and the president does have confidence that following P on the information included in the inspector general's report, that secretary Johnson and director Clancy will ensure that steps are taken to prevent the disclosure of this kind of information in the future but also hold accountable those who engaged in that kind of wrongdoing."
ACOSTA: "And congressman Chaffetz was talking to CNN this morning and said that he would like to see a criminal investigation opened into this. He said he feels violated. Is the White House open to that?"
EARNEST: "Well, Jim, I think I said quite clearly that this kind of conduct that takes sensitive information like this and makes it public for political purpose is wrong. But decisions about investigating criminal conduct are decisions that are made by prosecutors at the department of justice. So I certainty wouldn't want to say anything that might influence a decision like that. So I'll reserve judgment on whether or not a criminal prosecution like that is appropriate. That ultimately will be decision for someone else."