Trump admin directed Kash Patel to oversee leak probe into New York Times coverage: Report

WASHINGTON, DC: FBI Director Kash Patel was reportedly called to the White House last week to oversee the investigation into the leak behind The New York Times' reporting on security concerns involving President Donald Trump's Qatari-gifted Boeing 747-8 aircraft.

The reported White House involvement came before several NYT journalists received federal subpoenas connected to the investigation. The FBI, however, disputed parts of the report, saying speculation surrounding Patel's White House visit was inaccurate.

Report says Kash Patel was brought to White House as leak probe intensified

According to a new report by the outlet, Patel had planned to travel to Chicago to visit an FBI field office and attend country singer Alexis Wilkins' concert before abruptly canceling the trip after being summoned to the White House.

Patel reportedly spent approximately eight hours at the White House on Friday, July 10, where he briefed senior administration officials on the investigation surrounding the newspaper's reporting on Trump's new Air Force One.

Two people familiar with the matter told the newspaper Patel had concerns about the type of information that had become public regarding the aircraft. Later that evening, reporters Tyler Pager, Julian Barnes, Eric Lipton and Eric Schmitt reportedly received subpoenas ordering them to testify before a Manhattan grand jury next week.

The investigation centers on NYT's reporting that the Boeing 747-8, gifted by Qatar and now being used by Trump, allegedly lacks some of the advanced defensive countermeasure systems installed aboard the existing Air Force One fleet, which prompted the Trump administration to subpoena several of its journalists.

The report also said that before publication, an FBI official requested that the outlet and other news organizations delay publication on national security grounds and sought the identities of the sources behind the reporting. The newspaper declined to reveal its sources.

FBI disputes report as administration defends investigation

FBI spokesman Ben Williamson disputed portions of the reporting regarding Patel's role. "Director Patel and White House officials agreed to meet on Friday at the White House to brief an ongoing matter. While we would not comment further, other speculative reporting regarding the nature of the meeting is absolutely false."

Justice Department Office of Public Affairs Director Emily Covington said the reporters themselves were not the focus of the investigation. "To be clear, reporters are not the targets. Those leaking classified information are."

Patel also responded on social media after reports emerged regarding his canceled Chicago trip, rejecting claims that it had been planned primarily to attend his girlfriend's concert. He wrote that reports about the trip were false, adding, "I was at the White House, true, and the fake news will find out why soon."

The White House and FBI have not publicly disclosed additional details about the ongoing leak investigation.