The New York Times is guilty of “a virtual act of treason” for running a story that said the U.S. was ramping up its cyber-intrusions into Russia’s power grid, according to President Donald Trump.
The New York Times reported on Saturday “that the U.S. has bored into Russian utility systems in an escalating campaign meant to deter future cyber activity by Russia. It comes as the U.S. looks for new ways to punish Russia’s meddling in the 2016 presidential election and prevent a recurrence,” noted Vos Iz Neias.
The Times, in its official public relations account, called Trump’s accusation “dangerous” and said it had told officials about the story before it was published and no security issues were raised, the news site said.
“The newspaper, basing its reports on three months of interviews with current and former government officials, said this campaign was conducted under new cyber authorities granted by Trump and Congress. But it also reported that two administration officials believed the president had not been briefed in detail, fearing he might countermand the action against Russia or reveal sensitive information to foreign officials,” said Vos Iz Neias.
Tweeting Saturday night, Trump said the story wasn’t true and denounced reporters as “cowards. Do you believe that the Failing New York Times just did a story stating that the United States is substantially increasing Cyber Attacks on Russia. This is a virtual act of Treason by a once great paper so desperate for a story, any story, even if bad for our Country.”
The president added, “Anything goes with our Corrupt News Media today. They will do, or say, whatever it takes, with not even the slightest thought of consequence! These are true cowards and without doubt, THE ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE!”
“The Times recently reported that the U.S. was ramping up digital attacks on Russia’s power grid,” reported The Hill. “Two administration officials told the Times that they believed the president was not briefed in detail on certain measures. Officials were reticent to detail the activity to Trump because of concerns that he might try to interfere or discuss it with foreign officials, according to the Times.
The Times fired back: “Accusing the press of treason is dangerous,” the Times’s communications account tweeted. “We described the article to the government before publication. As our story notes, President Trump’s own national security officials said there were no concerns.”
“In its Saturday report, the Times described “broad hesitation to go into detail with Mr Trump about operations against Russia for concern over his reaction — and the possibility that he might countermand it or discuss it with foreign officials,” reported Standard Media. “The Times also cited National Security Council officials as saying they had no security concerns about the newspaper’s reporting on the digital incursions, perhaps indicating that some of the intrusions were meant to be noticed by the Russians.”
