Trump presses showdown with intelligence agencies

President Donald Trump pressed his attacks on US intelligence agencies yesterday, vowing to catch "low-life leakers" amid a battle over contacts with Russia that led to the ouster of his national security adviser.

The latest flurry of presidential salvoes came amid reports that Trump plans to name a New York billionaire, Stephen Feinberg, to lead a sweeping review of the US intelligence agencies, raising fears of a bid to curtail their independence.

Since firing his top security aide on Monday night, Trump has lashed out repeatedly at the community, portraying the leaks that prompted Michael Flynn's departure as a bid to undermine his legitimacy.

"The spotlight has finally been put on the low-life leakers! They will be caught!" Trump declared in an early morning tweet yesterday.

"Leaking, and even illegal classified leaking, has been a big problem in Washington for years. Failing @nytimes (and others) must apologize!"

Trump decried Flynn's treatment at a news conference on Wednesday despite having fired the retired general two days earlier for deceiving Vice President Mike Pence about his contacts with Russia's ambassador to Washington.

Earlier, he pointed the finger at the National Security Agency, which conducts electronic surveillance, and the FBI, which handles counter-intelligence probes, as possible sources of the leaks.

The New York Times reported Wednesday that intercepted calls and phone records show Trump aides were in repeated contact with Russian intelligence officials at least a year before the US elections.

The Wall Street Journal yesterday reported that US intelligence officials have withheld from Trump sensitive information on sources and methods because of concerns it could be leaked or compromised.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration has moved gingerly on Russia, sending top officials to Europe to reassure Nato allies while making its opening official contacts with the Russians.