Congressman asks Obama to keep classified intel from Trump

July 28, 2016 12:00 am • Last Updated: July 28, 2016 12:51 am

FILE - In this Feb. 4, 2014 file photo, U.S. Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I., questions Deputy Attorney General James Cole as he testifies before the House Judiciary Committee hearing on Examining Recommendations to Reform FISA Authorities, on Capitol Hill in Washington. The Rhode Island congressman says he's asking President Barack Obama to withhold classified materials and briefings from Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump in the interest of national security. Cicilline, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, sent a letter to Obama on Wednesday, July 27, 2016. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen, File)

Pawtucket, R.I. — A Rhode Island congressman says he's asking President Barack Obama to withhold classified materials and briefings from Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump in the interest of national security.

U.S. Rep. David Cicilline, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, sent a letter to Obama on Wednesday.

At a news conference hours earlier, Trump said he hoped that Russia would find emails deleted by Hillary Clinton from her time as secretary of state. He said: "Russia, if you're listening, I hope you're able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing."

Cicilline says Trump's "call for hostile foreign action" goes beyond partisan politics and "represents a threat to the republic itself."

Since 1952, Democratic and Republican presidential candidates have traditionally received intelligence briefings after securing their party's nomination.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump points to the crowd after speaking during a campaign rally at Lackawanna College, Wednesday, July 27, 2016, in Scranton, Pa. (Jake Danna Stevens/The Times & Tribune via AP)

Comment threads are monitored for 48 hours after publication and then closed.

STORIES THAT MAY INTEREST YOU