The New York Times has disclosed that the Federal Bureau of Investigation launched an inquiry into one of its journalists, Elizabeth Williamson, following her reporting on the personal use of federal agents by FBI Director Kash Patel. The investigation centered on whether Williamson violated anti-stalking statutes after she published an article detailing how agents were assigned to protect and chauffeur Patel's girlfriend, country singer Alexis Wilkins.
FBI's Response and Justice Department Intervention
According to the newspaper, the FBI conducted interviews with Wilkins after she reported receiving a death threat in the wake of Williamson's story. Agency personnel also searched federal databases for information on the reporter and initially recommended pursuing the matter further. However, the Justice Department intervened to block any additional action, as revealed in a Times article published online on Wednesday.
Newspaper's Strong Condemnation
The Times learned of these developments through a tip provided to reporter Michael S. Schmidt. Executive Editor Joseph Kahn issued a forceful statement condemning the FBI's actions. "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 asserted. "It's alarming. It's unconstitutional. And it's wrong."
The newspaper is now considering whether to request a federal inspector general review to determine if the FBI's conduct was improper, though no formal recourse has been initiated yet.
Background of the Original Reporting
Williamson's original article, published on February 28, examined the deployment of federal officials for personal duties involving administration figures. She reported that Patel had assigned four agents to provide full-time protection for Wilkins and that these agents had transported her to engagements in Britain, Illinois, and Nashville.
During her reporting, Williamson briefly interviewed Wilkins, though the singer insisted the conversation remain off the record. The journalist also spoke with individuals familiar with Wilkins or who had worked with her, according to the Times.
FBI Statement and Patel's Legal Actions
FBI spokesman Ben Williamson addressed the matter in a social media statement, acknowledging that investigators "were concerned about how the aggressive reporting techniques crossed lines of stalking," but emphasized that "no further action regarding Williamson or the reporting was ever pursued by the FBI."
This incident follows a pattern of Director Patel challenging media coverage he finds objectionable. Just days earlier, on Monday, Patel filed a $250 million defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic over an article discussing allegations about his drinking habits and management of the law enforcement agency.
The revelation of the FBI's investigation into a journalist has sparked concerns about press freedom and the appropriate boundaries between law enforcement activities and constitutional protections for the media.
