Trump calls for U.S. probe of NY Times after critical anonymous column

[September 08, 2018]  ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday called on the U.S. Justice Department to investigate the New York Times after the news outlet published a column this week by an anonymous administration official questioning his fitness for office.

Trump also said he was considering taking action against the Times, whose shares moved briefly lower after his comments were made public.

"We’re going to see. I’m looking at that right now," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions "should be investigating who the author of that piece was because I really believe it's national security."

The Times issued a statement saying it was confident the Justice Department "would not participate in such a blatant abuse of government power."

"The President's threats both underscore why we must safeguard the identity of the writer of this op-ed and serve as a reminder of the importance of a free and independent press to American democracy."

Trump did not indicate what sort of action he was considering against the Times and it was unclear what legal grounds he could act on.

A Justice Department spokeswoman said the department does not confirm or deny investigations. The Times could not be immediately reached for comment.

A number of top Trump advisers have disavowed the piece, which was published on Wednesday without a name in what the Times said was a rare but necessary move to protect the writer.

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One on his way to Fargo, North Dakota, U.S., September 7, 2018. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

In the column, the writer slammed Trump's "amorality" and leadership style. The official said there were a number of U.S. officials who were part of an "quiet resistance" inside the administration who was "working diligently from within to frustrate parts of his agenda and his worst inclinations."

Trump regularly attacks the media for focusing on negative news about his administration and decries what he perceives as "fakes news." He repeated on Air Force One that he believes libel laws should be strengthened.

Trump had threatened to sue the Times when he was running for president in October 2016 because of its story about allegations of sexual assault against women. The Times stood by its story and dismissed a Trump attorney's demand for an apology and retraction. No suit was filed.

Earlier this week the Justice Department said is set a meeting with state attorneys general to discuss concerns social media platforms are stifling conservative voices.

(Reporting by Steve Holland; Writing by Susan Heavey; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Bill Trott)

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