Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard on Thursday publicly accused Washington Post national security reporter Ellen Nakashima of harassing intelligence officials and bypassing proper protocols in an alleged effort to obtain sensitive information.

In a post on X, Gabbard detailed what she described as an ongoing pattern of misconduct by Nakashima, claiming the reporter used deceptive tactics to attempt to pressure senior officials at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI).

“It has come to my attention that Washington Post reporter @nakashimae appears to be actively harassing ODNI staff,” Gabbard wrote.

“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 further alleged that Nakashima’s methods represented a broader political effort by the Washington Post to interfere with President Donald Trump’s national security strategy.

“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,” Gabbard said in her post.

“This is a clear political op by the same outlet and the same reporter who harassed and stalked my family in Hawaii.”

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

“This kind of deranged behavior reflects a media establishment so desperate to sabotage @POTUS’s successful agenda that they’ve abandoned even a facade of journalistic integrity and ethics,” she continued.

“The Washington Post should be ashamed, and they should put an end to this immediately.”

It has come to my attention that Washington Post reporter @nakashimae 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…

— DNI Tulsi Gabbard (@DNIGabbard) July 3, 2025

Washington Post Executive Editor Matt Murray released a statement defending the reporter and her 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.”

“DNI Gabbard’s unfounded personal attack 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,” he added.

“The Post remains committed to that vital and constitutionally protected work.”

Washington Post executive editor claims the Russia collusion hoax that its reporter @nakashimae perpetuated is an example of how “careful” and “fair-minded” she is. Says running such hoaxes is “vital and constitutionally protected work.”

— Mollie (@MZHemingway) July 4, 2025

The allegations by Gabbard come amid broader scrutiny of legacy media coverage related to President Trump’s recent foreign policy actions, including Operation Midnight Hammer—an airstrike campaign targeting Iranian nuclear facilities.

President Trump has credited the operation with destroying key enrichment sites used by the Iranian regime.

In contrast, several news outlets, including CNN, described the results of the mission using more cautious language, such as “partially destroyed.”

In a post on Truth Social earlier this week, President Trump pushed back on those reports and criticized the outlets’ coverage.

“The sites that we hit in Iran were totally destroyed, and everyone knows it,” Trump wrote.

“Only the Fake News would say anything different in order to try and demean, as much as possible — and even they say they were ‘pretty well destroyed!’”

Trump also named several media figures and organizations in his post, including CNN host Anderson Cooper, Comcast Chairman Brian Roberts, ABC News’ Jonathan Karl, and NBC News.

“It never ends with the sleazebags in the Media, and that’s why their Ratings are at an ALL TIME LOW — ZERO CREDIBILITY!” Trump said.

The ongoing clash between the Trump administration and legacy media outlets continues to fuel debate over press conduct, the limits of journalistic inquiry, and the role of the intelligence community during Trump’s second term.