NYT publisher fires back at Trump over press rhetoric

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON

The New York Times publisher fired back Wednesday at U.S. President Donald Trump after he called the newspaper "a true ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE!" over its reporting.

A.G. Sulzberger said the use of the phrase to describe the media "is not just false, it's dangerous.

"It has an ugly history of being wielded by dictators and tyrants who sought to control public information," Sulzberger said in a statement. "It is particularly reckless coming from someone whose office gives him broad powers to fight or imprison the nation's enemies."

Sulzberger warned there are "mounting signs" the president's repeated and vocal attacks against the press are "encouraging threats and violence against journalists at home and abroad."

Trump has repeatedly used similar language to lash out at the American news outlets, including the Times and CNN, for their coverage of his administration.

He did not specify which article prompted his outburst, but the newspaper on Tuesday published a bombshell report purporting to chronicle the president's attempts to stymy investigations into himself, his campaign and his presidential administration.

Those efforts, the Times reported, have opened the door to obstruction of justice accusations at a time when Special Counsel Robert Mueller is said to be close to finishing his report on Russian interference into the 2016 presidential race and possible collusion with the Trump campaign.

The Times defended its investigation in a brief statement, saying it stands by its investigation "which was rigorously reported and based on a review of confidential White House documents as well as interviews with dozens of current and former government officials and others close to President Trump."

Trump has raged publicly against Mueller's probe, with he and his top officials often seeking to undercut its legitimacy by calling it a "witch hunt," even before its findings are finalized.

That could come as early as next week, according to reports.

Trump told reporters at the White House that whether Mueller's report becomes public is "totally up to" recently seated Attorney General William Barr.