Rand Paul demands investigation into Tucker Carlson's NSA 'spying' accusations

Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul demanded an investigation on Friday into the National Security Agency after Fox News host Tucker Carlson accused the government body of spying on his show and unmasking his email correspondence.

On Wednesday, the popular TV personality claimed the NSA illegally leaked private messages to members of the media after a report from Axios said Carlson contacted the Kremlin to arrange an interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Late last month, Carlson initially alleged the NSA was spying on his program in an attempt to remove his show from on-air broadcasting.

"I write to you to demand that you investigate the National Security Agency's (NSA) alleged spying and unmasking of Tucker Carlson, as well as any leaks of his private emails from the NSA to other reporters," Paul wrote in a letter to NSA Director Gen. Paul Nakasone.

The Kentucky Republican insisted Carlson is entitled to the "freedom of the press protections guaranteed by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution."

After Carlson's first allegations, the NSA issued a statement on June 29 denying his claims, a move seldom done by the agency.

"This allegation is untrue," the NSA spokesperson said at the time. "Tucker Carlson has never been an intelligence target of the Agency and the NSA has never had any plans to try to take his program off the air."

"We target foreign powers to generate insights on foreign activities that could harm the United States," the statement continued. "With limited exceptions (e.g. an emergency), NSA may not target a US citizen without a court order that explicitly authorizes the targeting."