U.S. Justice Department lawyers prosecuting former NSA contractor Reality Winner over alleged leaks of classified information regarding Russia's alleged interference in the 2016 presidential election are arguing her defense team should not be allowed to discuss any classified information, even if it was in news reports.

In a motion filed Tuesday, federal prosecutors said they had reached an impasse with Winner's defense team and asked the court to resolve the question in the government's favor.

In June, the government sent to Winner's counsel a proposed protective order that would bar the unauthorized use, disclosure or dissemination of any classified information provided to members of Winner's defense team who obtain security clearances. Classified information would include any information designated “confidential,' “secret,” “top secret” or “sensitive compartmented information.”