Washington, D.C. — Former President Donald Trump is considering measures to compel journalists who reported on a leaked U.S. intelligence assessment regarding military actions in Iran to disclose their sources. In a recent interview, he indicated that his administration might pursue legal action against those reporters as well as their confidential informants if they fail to comply.
During the interview on Fox News, Trump maintained that airstrikes conducted on June 21 successfully hindered Iran’s nuclear program, contrary to Iranian claims that the strikes were ineffective. He described the strikes as having caused significant damage, including the destruction of key enriched uranium stockpiles. However, the leaked intelligence report, which reached several lawmakers and intelligence officials, countered Trump’s affirmation, suggesting that the military actions only temporarily curtailed Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
In response to the leaked assessment, Trump dismissed it as biased and incomplete. He specifically targeted Democratic lawmakers and journalists for disseminating parts of the classified report. His remarks prompted speculation about potential legal repercussions for those involved in the reporting process.
During the interview, Trump referred to a message he had posted on social media that accused Democrats of leaking sensitive information related to the military strikes, calling for their prosecution. When pressed about who would be held accountable, he suggested that verification could be easily obtained, indicating a readiness to explore accountability measures against those responsible for the leaks.
Recent coverage from major media outlets, including CNN and The New York Times, has depicted the strikes as having limited effectiveness. Reports from the Defense Intelligence Agency indicated that the actions resulted in only a temporary delay to Iran’s nuclear progression rather than a complete dismantling of its capabilities. Trump, however, has repeatedly asserted that three key nuclear facilities were decimated.
Responding to Trump’s comments, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei criticized the former president for exaggerating the impact of U.S. actions. Khamenei dismissed Trump’s claims, stating that the strikes failed to achieve their intended objectives.
As Trump outlined his approach to holding reporters accountable, he emphasized a willingness to confront journalists about national security leaks. “What you do is go up to the reporter and ask, ‘Who provided this information?’” he said, suggesting that the administration would seek to identify the sources of leaked information.
While U.S. law generally offers protections for journalists against revealing their sources, there are exceptions under which these protections can be challenged. Trump previously threatened to initiate legal actions against CNN and The New York Times for their stories regarding the intelligence report, asserting that their articles had harmed his reputation.
In a formal letter to The New York Times, Trump’s attorney demanded a retraction of a specific article, labeling it as “false,” “defamatory,” and “unpatriotic,” while insisting that the publication’s actions were damaging to the former president’s standing.
The current exchanges underline an ongoing tension between the former president and the media, raising broader questions about transparency and accountability in government reporting and the responsibilities of journalists.