https://x.com/DilanianMSNBC/ # Ken Dilanian: Background, Controversies, and Allegations of Political Bias ## Background as a "Reporter" Ken Dilanian is currently the justice and intelligence correspondent for [[NBC]] News and [[MSNBC]], based in Washington, D.C. He graduated from Williams College in 1991 with a degree in political science and history. Dilanian has worked for several major news organizations throughout his career: - **Philadelphia Inquirer** (1997-2007): Started as local government reporter, won [Casey Medal for Meritorious Journalism in 2007](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Dilanian) for [series on child welfare deaths](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcPxTiT9DVg) - **USA Today** (2007-2010): [Covered foreign policy and Congress](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Dilanian) - **Los Angeles Times** (2010-2014): [National security reporter](https://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-tribune-dilanian-20140904-story.html) in [Washington bureau](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Dilanian) - **Associated Press** (2014-2016): [Intelligence writer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Dilanian) - **NBC News/MSNBC** (2015-present): [Justice and intelligence correspondent](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Dilanian) ## CIA Collaboration Controversy The most significant controversy surrounding Dilanian emerged in 2014 when **The Intercept** revealed that while working for the Los Angeles Times, he routinely submitted story drafts to [[CIA]] press handlers for approval before publication. The investigation found: - Dilanian ["enjoyed a closely collaborative relationship with the CIA,"](https://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-tribune-dilanian-20140904-story.html) explicitly promising positive news coverage - He sent ["entire story drafts for review prior to publication"](https://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-tribune-dilanian-20140904-story.html) - In at least one instance, [the CIA's reaction led to significant changes in published stories](https://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-tribune-dilanian-20140904-story.html) - He wrote to CIA officials: ["I'm working on a story about congressional oversight of drone strikes that can present a good opportunity for you guys"](https://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-tribune-dilanian-20140904-story.html) When confronted, Dilanian acknowledged: "I probably shouldn't have done it, and I wouldn't do it now". The Los Angeles Times confirmed they were unaware of this practice and stated it violated their policies. The Associated Press, which hired him despite knowing about these practices, [conducted a review](https://www.pbs.org/publiceditor/blogs/ombudsman/links-may-be-deceiving/) and concluded his exchanges with the CIA were ["in pursuit of accuracy"](https://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2014/09/ken-dilanian-sent-cia-drafts-of-stories-194906). ## Anti-Trump Reporting and Political Bias Allegations ### Coverage Patterns Dilanian has been a frequent critic of Trump-related investigations and policies. His reporting consistently: - [Defends FBI investigations into Trump and associates](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnFeqHYdCyo) - [Criticizes Trump administration actions](https://www.msnbc.com/the-briefing-with-jen-psaki/watch/trump-s-war-on-facts-backfires-at-fbi-as-top-talent-walks-away-244564037814) against [intelligence agencies](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/trump-administration-targets-comey-brennan-new-investigation-rcna217713) - Provides sympathetic coverage of [[FBI]] agents [investigated](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/trumps-feared-doj-enforcer-secret-investigated-jan-6-rcna191796) or [fired by Trump administration](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/poor-judgment-and-kash-patels-letter-firing-fbi-agent-walter-giardina-who-lost-wife-last-month-goes-viral/articleshow/123206358.cms) ### Specific Examples of Alleged Bias - **Durham Report Coverage**: Dilanian's reporting on [[John Durham]]'s investigation consistently [downplayed findings critical](https://www.msnbc.com/katy-tur/watch/durham-report-on-handling-of-trump-russia-investigation-released-to-public-174436933900) of the FBI's [Crossfire Hurricane investigation](https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2025/08/08/dilanian_trump_admin_has_rewritten_history_and_co-opted_the_doj_and_fbi_as_tools_of_their_political_ends.html) - **FBI Firings**: He has extensively covered and criticized the Trump administration's [firing of FBI officials](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/trump-administration-fires-doj-officials-worked-criminal-investigation-rcna189512), [portraying them as victims](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/poor-judgment-and-kash-patels-letter-firing-fbi-agent-walter-giardina-who-lost-wife-last-month-goes-viral/articleshow/123206358.cms) of [political retaliation](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/trumps-feared-doj-enforcer-secret-investigated-jan-6-rcna191796) - **January 6 Coverage**: Consistently critical of Trump's role while [defending FBI and DOJ officials](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/trumps-feared-doj-enforcer-secret-investigated-jan-6-rcna191796) involved in [investigations](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/trump-administration-fires-doj-officials-worked-criminal-investigation-rcna189512) ## Crossfire Hurricane Reporting While Dilanian was not directly mentioned in major investigative reports, he extensively covered the Crossfire Hurricane investigation: - He reported on the [Inspector General's findings that the investigation was justified and not politically motivated](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/internal-justice-watchdog-finds-russia-probe-was-justified-not-biased-n1098161) - Covered the [Durham investigation's conclusions](https://www.today.com/video/special-counsel-durham-s-report-on-trump-russia-probe-released-174485573909), often emphasizing [aspects that defended the FBI](https://www.msnbc.com/katy-tur/watch/durham-report-on-handling-of-trump-russia-investigation-released-to-public-174436933900) - His reporting generally [supported the FBI's handling](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/counterintelligence-investigation-trump-team-russia-hasn-t-stopped-n996486) of the Russia investigation [against Republican criticism](https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2025/08/08/dilanian_trump_admin_has_rewritten_history_and_co-opted_the_doj_and_fbi_as_tools_of_their_political_ends.html) ## Durham and Mueller Report Citations Dilanian is cited in the Mueller Report as a source for news articles. The citation appears in footnote 629: ["See, e.g., Ken Dilanian, Did Trump, Kushner, Sessions Have an Undisclosed Meeting With."](https://www.justsecurity.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Muelller-Report-Redacted-Vol-I-Released-04.18.2019-Word-Searchable.-Reduced-Size.pdf) There is no evidence he was mentioned in the [Durham Report](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durham_special_counsel_investigation) as a subject of investigation, though he extensively covered [Durham's findings](https://www.today.com/video/special-counsel-durham-s-report-on-trump-russia-probe-released-174485573909). ## FBI Sources and Potential Conflicts ### Walter Giardina Connection Recent reporting by Dilanian himself reveals connections to [[FBI]] sources: - [[Walter Giardina]], an FBI agent recently fired by [[Kash Patel]], was involved in [prosecutions of Trump associates](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/poor-judgment-and-kash-patels-letter-firing-fbi-agent-walter-giardina-who-lost-wife-last-month-goes-viral/articleshow/123206358.cms) - Dilanian's reporting on Giardina's firing was sympathetic, [noting Giardina had recently lost his wife to cancer](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/poor-judgment-and-kash-patels-letter-firing-fbi-agent-walter-giardina-who-lost-wife-last-month-goes-viral/articleshow/123206358.cms) - The timing and nature of Dilanian's reporting suggests potential source relationships with fired FBI officials ### Peter Strzok and Other Officials While no direct evidence shows Dilanian received information from [[Peter Strzok]] specifically, his reporting pattern suggests access to [[FBI]] sources: - Extensive knowledge of [internal FBI dynamics](https://www.msnbc.com/the-briefing-with-jen-psaki/watch/trump-s-war-on-facts-backfires-at-fbi-as-top-talent-walks-away-244564037814) and [morale](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/trumps-feared-doj-enforcer-secret-investigated-jan-6-rcna191796) - Quick reporting on [personnel changes](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/trump-administration-fires-doj-officials-worked-criminal-investigation-rcna189512) and [internal disputes](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/trumps-feared-doj-enforcer-secret-investigated-jan-6-rcna191796) - Detailed knowledge of FBI agents' perspectives on [Trump administration policies](https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/analysis/fbi-women-minorities-job-losses-kash-patel-rcna222988) ## Political Donations and Democratic Support My research found no evidence of direct political donations by Dilanian to Democratic candidates or causes. However, there are indicators of potential political alignment: - **MSNBC Platform**: Works for MSNBC, which has been characterized as the ["leading anti-Trump network"](https://fortune.com/2023/10/05/msnbc-anti-trump-network-only-growing-cable-news-fox-cnn-shrink/) - **Coverage Pattern**: Consistently critical coverage of Trump and Republican officials while defensive of Democratic-aligned institutions - **Source Relationships**: Apparent close relationships with FBI and intelligence officials opposed to Trump ## Interview and Debate Appearances Dilanian regularly appears on: - MSNBC shows including [Morning Joe](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnFeqHYdCyo), [The Beat](https://www.msnbc.com/the-briefing-with-jen-psaki/watch/trump-s-war-on-facts-backfires-at-fbi-as-top-talent-walks-away-244564037814), and others - [NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Dilanian) - Various [panel discussions](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcPxTiT9DVg) on intelligence and justice matters His appearances consistently present perspectives critical of Trump and supportive of intelligence community actions. ## Conflicts of Interest Several potential conflicts emerge from the evidence: 1. **CIA Collaboration**: Past practice of [sharing stories with CIA](https://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2014/09/ken-dilanian-sent-cia-drafts-of-stories-194906) for [approval](https://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-tribune-dilanian-20140904-story.html) raises questions about independence 2. **Source Relationships**: Apparent close relationships with FBI officials create potential [bias in coverage](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/trumps-feared-doj-enforcer-secret-investigated-jan-6-rcna191796) 3. **Platform Bias**: Working for [explicitly anti-Trump network](https://fortune.com/2023/10/05/msnbc-anti-trump-network-only-growing-cable-news-fox-cnn-shrink/) while covering Trump-related investigations 4. **Career Advancement**: Professional success tied to maintaining access to intelligence sources who oppose Trump ## Evidence of Political Bias While no smoking gun proves intentional Democratic partisanship, the pattern of coverage strongly suggests bias: - **Consistent Direction**: Coverage almost universally critical of Trump, supportive of [[FBI]]/intelligence community - **Source Selection**: Regular use of anonymous FBI/[[DOJ]] sources [critical of Trump](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/trump-administration-fires-doj-officials-worked-criminal-investigation-rcna189512) - **Framing**: Stories consistently frame Trump as threat to democracy, [FBI as victims](https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2025/08/08/dilanian_trump_admin_has_rewritten_history_and_co-opted_the_doj_and_fbi_as_tools_of_their_political_ends.html) - **Omissions**: Limited critical coverage of FBI overreach or Democratic officials The totality of evidence suggests Dilanian operates more as an advocate for the intelligence community than as an independent journalist, with his reporting consistently aligned with Democratic and anti-Trump perspectives.