The FBI probed New York Times reporter Elizabeth Williamson after she published a story about FBI Director Kash Patel assigning agents to protect his girlfriend, country singer Alexis Wilkins.
10:34 AM
The New York Times reported Wednesday that the FBI investigated whether one of its reporters, Elizabeth Williamson, violated federal stalking laws after she wrote a story nearly two months ago about how federal agents had been assigned to protect and provide transportation to FBI Director Kash Patel's girlfriend, country singer Alexis Wilkins.
Williamson's article was published February 28. According to the Times, FBI agents subsequently interviewed Wilkins and searched federal databases for information about Williamson. The bureau recommended pursuing the investigation further to determine whether Williamson had broken federal stalking laws, according to a source cited by the Times.
The FBI said Wednesday that its agents interviewed Wilkins after she expressed concern about a death threat she received following publication of Williamson's article, but took no further action. However, the FBI's statement to the Times acknowledged that "investigators were concerned about how the aggressive reporting techniques crossed lines of stalking," though the agency said it would not pursue a case.
Justice Department officials blocked the investigation from proceeding. According to the Times, these officials ended the inquiry after establishing there was no legal basis for it and after concluding the probe was retaliation for an article Patel did not favor.
The Times said it learned about the investigation only through a tip given to reporter Michael S. Schmidt. The newspaper characterized the FBI's actions as alarming, stating that "the FBI's attempt to criminalize routine reporting is a blatant violation of Elizabeth's First Amendment rights."
The FBI disputed the characterization of events, telling TheWrap that it was "false" that it investigated Williamson. The agency pointed to its statement to the Times regarding the matter.
This development comes as Patel is pursuing a separate legal action. He is suing The Atlantic magazine for $250 million, claiming defamation over an article that alleged he has abused alcohol. Patel responded to The Atlantic's reporting at the Justice Department on Wednesday, though his response was not fully captured in available accounts.
Patel filed a defamation lawsuit Monday against the magazine and reporter Sarah Fitzpatrick over a Friday article alleging excessive drinking and unexplained absences.
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