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NYT alleges FBI investigated reporter over story on Kash Patel’s girlfriend
TL;DR
The FBI investigated a New York Times reporter after a story about Kash Patel's girlfriend raised security concerns. The inquiry focused on whether Patel misused FBI resources for her protection.
Key points
- FBI investigated a New York Times reporter, Elizabeth Williamson.
- Investigation began after a story about Kash Patel's girlfriend.
- Allegations involved misuse of FBI resources for protection.
- Patel denied the investigation and defended his actions.
- The reporter's story raised security concerns.
Mentioned in this story
Kash PatelElizabeth WilliamsonAlexis WilkinsFBINew York Times
The FBI began investigating a New York Times reporter after the newspaper published a story raising concerns about the security arrangements surrounding the girlfriend of Kash Patel, the FBI director, the Times has reported.
According to reporting from the Times on Wednesday, the inquiry into Elizabeth Williamson, the reporter, began in March following an article she reported alleging that Patel used FBI resources to provide protection and transportation for his girlfriend, country singer, Alexis Wilkins.
The report, citing a source familiar with the matter, states that FBI agents searched databases for details about Williamson, and suggested further steps to assess whether her actions might violate federal stalking laws, .
Patel denied the investigation during a Wednesday appearance on Fox News with Sean Hannity, the host who raised the issue while referencing his own disputes with the Times, including that he considered legal action over previous coverage about his views on Covid-19.
“The reality is … that this same reporter delivered a baseless story which caused a direct threat of life to my girlfriend,” the FBI director told the host. “We’re going to protect not only me and my loved ones, but every American that is threatened.”
Joseph Kahn, executive editor of the Times, criticized the FBI’s actions, arguing that investigating a journalist for standard reporting is inappropriate.
“The FBI’s attempt to criminalize routine reporting is a blatant violation of Elizabeth’s First Amendment rights and another attempt by this administration to prevent journalists from scrutinizing its actions,” Kahn said in a statement published by the Times. “It’s alarming. It’s unconstitutional. And it’s wrong.”
The original piece, published on 28 February, examined the use of federal officials assigned to perform personal duties for an administration figure. Williamson wrote that Patel had assigned four agents to protect Wilkins full time, and that they had transported her to appearances in Britain, Illinois and Nashville.
The FBI, in its own statement to the Times, said “while investigators were concerned about how the aggressive reporting techniques crossed lines of stalking”, it was not moving forward with a case against Williamson.
Q&A
What prompted the FBI investigation into the New York Times reporter?
The investigation was prompted by a story alleging that Kash Patel used FBI resources to protect his girlfriend, Alexis Wilkins.
Who is Kash Patel and what is his connection to the FBI investigation?
Kash Patel is the FBI director, and the investigation concerns allegations that he misused FBI resources for the safety of his girlfriend.
What did Kash Patel say about the allegations against him?
Kash Patel denied the allegations during a Fox News appearance, claiming the reporter's story posed a direct threat to his girlfriend's life.
