03-07-2025
Gabbard accuses Washington Post reporter of ‘political op'
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard attacked a Washington Post reporter on Thursday over the journalist's reporting, calling her 'a clear political op.'
Post reporter Ellen Nakashima, Gabbard wrote in a social media post on Thursday, 'appears to be actively harassing ODNI 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 said.
'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,' the director added.
Nakashima has an extensive history of reporting on matters of national security and is a member of three Pulitzer-prize-winning teams at The Post.
In a statement responding to Gabbard, Post executive editor Matt Murray defended Nakashima's 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 attack 'unfounded' and 'personal' saying it '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.'
