US official accuses Washington Post reporter of "sabotaging" Trump agenda

US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has accused Washington Post reporter Ellen Nakashima of engaging in “deranged” behaviour driven by a media establishment she claims is “desperate to sabotage” President Donald Trump's agenda. 

In a post on X, Gabbard alleged Nakashima used a burner phone to contact senior intelligence officials, refused to identify herself, and lied about her affiliation with the Post while demanding sensitive information, Caliber.Az cites her post.

“It has come to my attention that Washington Post reporter Ellen Nakashima appears to be actively harassing ODNI [Office of the Director of National Intelligence]staff. 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,” Gabbard wrote.

Gabbard further alleged that Nakashima and the Post have a history of targeting her and her family, stating that “this is a clear political op by the same outlet and the same reporter who harassed and stalked my family in Hawaii.”

“The Washington Post should be ashamed, and they should put an end to this immediately,” the official demanded. 

Ellen Nakashima, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist with more than 30 years of experience covering national security, has not publicly responded to the allegations. However, Washington Post executive editor Matt Murray issued a statement defending her work.

“For three decades, Ellen Nakashima has been one of the most careful, fair-minded, and highly regarded reporters covering national security,” Murray said. “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.”

Murray called Gabbard’s remarks “unfounded” and “personal,” and added that the 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.”

By Sabina Mammadli