WH are using Russian disinformation techniques with the media..

[HipChick]

http://www.businessinsider.com/white-house-handling-of-controversial-plans-2017-2?op=1
Latest incident reflects an emerging pattern noted by several top political reporters in how the Trump administration handles its most controversial policy proposals, and undermines the press in the process:

1. Wait for a draft memo of a proposal to be leaked to the press.
2. Refuse to comment when asked about the draft.
3. Wait to dispute a story's accuracy until the story is published.
4. Accuse the press of never having sought comment to begin with.

Trump has followed this pattern closely. In a press conference on Thursday, he dismissed reports about his campaign team's communication with Russia as "fake news," and said that the Wall Street Journal and New York Times had never asked him for comment before publishing their respective stories. Both outlets, however, either included a White House denial or stated that the White House did not respond to requests for comment. Following the AP's report and the White House's rebuttal on Friday, NBC News politics reporter Benjy Sarlin questioned on Twitter why the administration and the DHS waited to deny the report until after it was published, despite apparently being given the opportunity to comment.

New York Times political correspondent Maggie Haberman replied that it was "almost like there's a pattern here." "These are taxpayer-funded spokespeople," Haberman wrote, referring to the White House and DHS press offices. "If memo is not under serious consideration, why not say it ahead of time?" "Taxpayer press office that has hours to devote to focusing on palace intrigue stories and profiles does not respond to routine questions," Haberman said.

Rep. Keith Ellison's press secretary, Isaiah Breen, also noted the pattern on Friday.
"1. Get request for comment on a story. 2. Refuse to reply to request for comment. 3. Deny once article is up, and don't mention comment request," Breen tweeted in response to Spicer's statements.

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Washington Post reporters Radley Balko and Louisa Loveluck said on Friday that the leaks themselves appeared to be part of a strategy. "Leak an abhorrent policy under consideration. Refuse comment when queried. After publication, declare policy absurd, scold media. Repeat," Balko tweeted.

"1: Float outrageous draft plan. 2: Watch media explode. 3: Deny, pursue less bad option. 4: Tell base the discredited media did it again," Loveluck said.