The (over)use of background sources, allowing DC insiders to push their preferred storyline without the reader knowing who they are and what their particular interests in the matter at hand are is one of the most maddening things about DC political coverage. No one even questions it anymore.
As @kenwhite.bsky.social used to point out about "leaks" from prosecutors. The "bigger story", never reported, is usually who was trying to push a leak driven agenda in the press.
