I considered that it may be an authorized leak; but then why leak it early if the report is about to be declassified anyway, and why to the "Times"? Well, we'll see, I guess.
Consider the editorial staff of the Times. They must have some connection (in the closet or otherwise) with some career officer. It's called blackmail. Just a guess of course.
By stating out loud and on the front page, above the fold, it is a direct declaration. They will try to turn this into a Pentagon Papers if they can. Something stinks but it is not in Denmark.