Trump Accuses New York Times of Treason Over Russia Cyber Warfare Report
President Trump labels a New York Times report on U.S. cyber operations against Russia's power grid as a virtual act of treason. The newspaper defends its reporting by noting that Trump's own national security officials raised no concerns prior to publication.
President Donald Trump accuses The New York Times of committing a "virtual act of treason" after the newspaper publishes a report detailing U.S. digital intrusions into Russia's electrical power grid. He simultaneously claims on social media that the story is not true, labeling the media as "cowards" and the "enemy of the people."
The Times responds to the president's harsh criticism by stating that accusing the press of treason is dangerous. The publication points out that it described the article to the government before publication and that Trump's own national security officials expressed no concerns about the report.
According to the newspaper, intelligence officials deliberately limit their briefings to Trump regarding operations against Russia. Sources indicate this hesitation stems from concerns that the president might countermand the operations or inadvertently share the classified information with foreign officials.