Gabbard Accuses Washington Post Reporter Of Harassing Staff, Lying to Get Sensitive Info

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Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard on Thursday publicly accused Washington Post reporter Ellen Nakashima of harassing her staff and misrepresenting herself to demand sensitive materials from the ODNI.

‘It has come to my attention that Washington Post reporter [Ellen Nakashima] appears to be actively harassing ODNI staff,” she posted on X. “Instead of reaching out to my press office, she is calling high level Intelligence Officers from a burner phone, refusing to identify herself, lying about the fact that she works for the Washington Post, and then demanding they share sensitive information.”

She further accused the outlet of seeking to sabotage the Trump administration and urged the paper to crack down on Nakashima’s alleged behavior.

“Apparently, publishing leaked classified material wasn’t enough for the Washington Post, so now they’ve decided to go after the Intelligence professionals charged to protect it,” Gabbard added. “This is a clear political op by the same outlet and the same reporter who harassed and stalked my family in Hawaii.”

Gabbard’s remarks about classified material appeared to refer to reporting on a leaked intelligence assessment that suggested U.S. strikes on Iran had been less effective than first claimed by the White House. That leak has led the Trump administration to limit sending classified information to Congress to prevent future leaks.

Washington Post Executive Editor Matt Murray issued the following statement:

“For three decades, Ellen Nakashima has been one of the most careful, fair-minded, and highly regarded reporters covering national security. Reaching out to potential sources rather than relying solely on official government press statements regarding matters of public interest is neither nefarious nor is it harassment. It is basic journalism. DNI Gabbard’s unfounded personal attack reflects a fundamental misunderstanding about the role of journalists to report on government officials and hold power to account, without fear or favor and regardless of party. The Post remains committed to that vital and constitutionally protected work.”