Overview

• On July 3, DNI Tulsi Gabbard accused Washington Post reporter Ellen Nakashima of using a burner phone to call intelligence officers, misrepresenting her identity and demanding classified information.
• Gabbard also alleged Nakashima harassed and stalked her family in Hawaii, though she has presented no supporting evidence for those claims.
• She labeled the journalist’s inquiries a “clear political op” aimed at undermining President Trump’s agenda.
• Washington Post executive editor Matt Murray defended Nakashima, describing her outreach to sources as standard practice and calling the attack “unfounded” and “personal.”
• The public dispute underscores growing tensions between intelligence authorities and the media in a politicized environment.