Trump moves to punish US government workers who leak information to reporters

US President Donald Trump’s administration on Tuesday proposed asking federal employees to sign non-disclosure agreements (NDA) with the goal of preventing them from sharing confidential information with journalists.

The Office of Personnel Management, the human resources office for the ‌US government, released a draft NDA designed for federal agencies to use with new and existing employees.

Under the draft agreement, the administration could pursue civil and criminal penalties against employees who violate it.

The US government would be entitled to all “royalties” that employees receive from disclosing information that violates the agreement, according to the draft.

The office did not immediately offer further explanation.

US President Donald Trump points out a member of the press during an event in the Oval Office on May 11. Photo: Getty Images/TNS

The draft form is the latest step ‌in the president’s effort to exert more control over US government workers and the flow of information to the public.