NY Times fires back at Trump’s ‘dangerous’ accusation of treason

The New York Times on Sunday fired back at President Trump, who said its story about U.S. attacks on a Russian power grid amounted to “a virtual act of Treason.”

“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.”

It emphasized a section of its article stating that National Security Council officials said they had no national security concerns about the details in the story. 

Accusing the press of treason is dangerous.
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. https://t.co/MU020hxwdc pic.twitter.com/4CIfcqKoEl

— NYTimes Communications (@NYTimesPR) June 16, 2019

The Times recently reported that the U.S. was ramping up digital attacks on Russia’s power grid. 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. {mosads}

Trump blasted the story as “NOT TRUE” on Twitter. 

“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,” he tweeted. “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.”

“ALSO, NOT TRUE! Anything goes with our Corrupt News Media today,” the president continued. “They will do, or say, whatever it takes, with not even the slightest thought of consequence!” 

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…..

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 16, 2019 

…..ALSO, NOT TRUE! 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!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 16, 2019