White House press secretary Sean Spicer recently checked his aides' cell phones to ensure they weren't communicating with reporters as part of an aggressive effort to stem the recent tide of White House leaks. 

On Monday, it was confirmed that President Donald Trump signed off on the check. 

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When reached by CNN, Spicer denied that Trump was involved in either decision. 

"(Trump) did not sign off or even know what I did.  That is not accurate," he said, later adding, "I don't believe he even knew there was a gaggle and in no way was it discussed with him or any other staffer." 

The sources added that Spicer is on higher standing inside the West Wing than he has been in earlier weeks.  He has been eager to prove his loyalty but has also not pushed back on carrying out any orders or requests from the Oval Office. 

One person close to the situation described Spicer as the "enforcer." 

Spicer called staff into his office last week to reiterate his frustration with the leaks, sources with knowledge of the matter said.  He informed them that the use of encrypted texting apps, like Signal and Confide, was a violation of the Federal Records Act. 

Then, with White House counsel Don McGahn standing by, Spicer asked his staff to provide him with their cell phones so he could ensure they were not using those apps or corresponding privately with reporters. 

Spicer asked to review both his staff's government-issued and personal cell phones, the sources said.  He also specifically asked his staff not to leak information about the meeting or his efforts to crack down on leaks to the media, one source said. 

The meeting, which Politico first reported, comes as the White House increases security measures to address President Donald Trump's anger over leaks from administration officials and staffers. 

Spicer, who declined to comment on the meeting, was particularly frustrated with the fact that the decision to appoint Mike Dubke as White House communications director was leaked to the press a week earlier, the sources said.  Spicer and Dubke are friends, and Spicer had backed his appointment.