Investor’s Business Daily says the actions of the New York Times and other papers, exposing secret national security programs in wartime, are inexcusable. (Hat tip: Newsbeat1.)

Now the same Times reporters, Eric Lichtblau and James Risen, are back with the SWIFT story. They took a lot of flak for the NSA stories. We’re just spitballing here, but maybe that explains why four major papers would have the same “scoop.” In numbers, there is safety.

For the record, the White House practically begged them not to publish this, arguing it would imperil the highly successful counterterrorism program. (Remember: There have been no major terror attacks on the U.S. since 9-11). The New York Times rejected the plea, citing “public interest.” The others followed.

We’re left to wonder: Is this criminal behavior? The newspapers will claim they have the right under the First Amendment to publish government secrets if they see fit. But that’s rubbish. Since World War II, Congress and a series of legal decisions have made it clear the media aren’t exempt from the Espionage Act — which forbids giving secrets to the enemy.

While the legality of printing secrets may be debatable, it’s clear there’s a crisis among media elites that have allowed hatred of the president and his party to taint their reporting. In the process, they’ve destroyed whatever claims to objectivity and fairness they might have once had. Far worse, they’ve given aid and comfort to the enemy in a time of war — and that is simply inexcusable.

Indeed it is. The New York Times has become a rogue agent, putting themselves above the law and above the officials elected to govern us. It’s shameful and treasonous.