Trump slams 'fake news' and 'criminal' leaks in wake of Flynn's resignation

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday assailed what he said were illegal and "criminal" leaks from U.S. intelligence agencies in the controversy over contacts with Russian officials that forced his national security adviser Michael Flynn to resign.

Speaking at a joint news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump called Flynn a "wonderful man" and added: "I think it's very, very unfair what's happened to General Flynn, the way he was treated, and the documents and papers that were illegally, I stress that, illegally leaked."

The president also bashed the "fake media," alleging that "people are trying to cover up for a terrible loss the Democrats had under Hillary Clinton."

Click through reactions to Michael Flynn's resignation:

"It's criminal action, a criminal act and its been going a long time, before me," Trump said about the leaks. "But now it's really going on."

Following the Flynn controversy, the New York Times released a report late Tuesday alleging that phone records and multiple intercepted calls showed that Trump's campaign was in contact repeatedly during 2016 election.

The report also stated that as of now there's no evidence of cooperation between the two nations.

Additional reporting by Reuters.