White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Thursday sharply rebuked ABC News, demanding the network retract a story that suggested an Iranian threat to the United States homeland. Leavitt condemned the coverage as alarmist and misleading, emphasizing that the reported intelligence regarding a potential drone attack off the West Coast was unverified and incomplete.
"This post and story should be immediately retracted by ABC News for providing false information to intentionally alarm the American people." — Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary
ABC News had reported on Wednesday that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) received an email indicating Iran might have considered a drone attack off the West Coast. This report, attributed to an alert reviewed by ABC News and reported by Aaron Katersky, was circulated to local law enforcement agencies in California. However, Leavitt asserted that ABC News omitted a crucial detail: the original email explicitly stated that the intelligence was unverified.
"This post and story should be immediately retracted by ABC News for providing false information to intentionally alarm the American people," Leavitt stated on X Thursday morning. She elaborated, explaining that the story was "based on one email that was sent to local law enforcement in California about a single, unverified tip." Leavitt further highlighted, "The email even states the tip was based on unverified intelligence. Yet ABC News left out this critical fact in their story! WHY?"
The White House press secretary was unequivocal in her assessment of the threat's veracity. "TO BE CLEAR: No such threat from Iran to our homeland exists, and it never did," she emphasized. Leavitt insisted that responsible reporting on national security matters must clearly distinguish between speculative information and verified intelligence to avoid creating unnecessary public panic.
The administration criticized ABC News for its reporting, arguing that by presenting the email as an imminent threat, the outlet implied a level of danger that federal authorities maintain does not exist. Officials stressed that Americans deserve accurate and contextualized information, particularly concerning national security.
Leavitt's remarks come amidst a period characterized by genuine security challenges facing the United States. Earlier this month, a major U.S. medical company, Stryker, experienced a cyberattack, underscoring ongoing risks to critical infrastructure. Additionally, authorities recently arrested two individuals linked to ISIS following a failed bombing attempt targeting anti-Muslim protestors near Gracie Mansion in New York City. The tragic mass shooting in Austin, Texas, earlier this month also involved a suspect reportedly supportive of Iran. These incidents, officials noted, demonstrate the complex spectrum of threats requiring vigilance and contrast sharply with reporting based on unconfirmed information.
Federal law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), continue to monitor potential threats using verified intelligence. Leavitt's comments underscored the importance of maintaining public trust in these agencies, asserting that media coverage should bolster, rather than undermine, confidence in their operations and assessments.
By publicly calling out ABC News, the White House reinforced its position that news organizations must prioritize accuracy over sensationalism, particularly when reporting on sensitive national security issues. The administration's response reflects a broader effort to ensure that reporting on national security is measured, factual, and appropriately contextualized. In contrast to speculative stories, officials continue to focus on addressing confirmed threats, safeguarding critical infrastructure, and protecting citizens from credible dangers. Leavitt’s outspoken criticism highlights the administration’s commitment to holding media outlets accountable when reporting is perceived to cross the line from public information to generating undue alarm.
