Trump accuses NYT of ‘virtual act of treason’ for report on US cyber-attacks against Russia

President Donald Trump accused the New York Times of committing a “virtual act of treason” in response to a report that said the U.S. is ramping up attacks on Russian power grid.

In a pair of tweets Saturday evening, Trump called the venerable news outlet “THE ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE!” in all capital letters, Washington Examiner newspaper reported.

It was the latest attack on the press by a president who often rails against “fake news” and singles out news organizations such as CNN and the Washington Post for condemnation.

Earlier in the day Trump tweeted the “Corrupt News Media is totally out of control – they have given up and don’t even care anymore.”

The Times’ communications team responded by tweeting, “Accusing the press of treason is dangerous.

We described the article to the government before publication. As our story notes, President Trump’s own national security officials said there were no concerns.”

The report, published Saturday, said the Pentagon has infiltrated Russia’s electric power grid among other unnamed targets, inserting American malware into the systems in response to heightened Russian cyber aggression and political meddling, including efforts to influence recent U.S. elections.

The move is intended as a warning to Russia and would also allow the U.S. to retaliate quickly against Russian provocation. Officials said U.S. malware has the potential to cripple Russia’s electric infrastructure and is unprecedented in terms of its reach and aggressiveness.

The warning strike was authorized by U.S. Cyber Command, which was granted extended power to conduct cyber “clandestine military activity” in order to “deter, safeguard or defend against attacks or malicious cyberactivities against the United States” last year by Trump and Congress. That authorization followed concerns that the administration needed to respond more aggressively to Kremlin-ordered cyber attacks and hacking campaigns.

Still, administration officials said they believe Trump was not briefed on the “implants” inside Russia’s power grid.

Pentagon and intelligence officials said there is concern about keeping Trump apprised of the cyber salvo against Russia for fear of how he might react.