Lead
The Trump administration has issued subpoenas to several New York Times journalists after the newspaper reported on security concerns with the president's new plane, according to the outlet. The Times said its journalists were subpoenaed on Friday by the US Justice Department to testify before a federal grand jury in Manhattan five days later, marking the latest effort by the Trump administration to compel testimony from journalists under the threat of penalty. Agents delivered some of the subpoenas to the Times reporters at their homes, the paper added.
Coverage Comparison
Reports from ABC Australia, Al Jazeera, France 24 — English, and The Guardian — World describe the subpoenas as part of a broader administration campaign against the media. Al Jazeera framed the move as an "escalating attack" on press freedom, while France 24 — English called it a "dramatic escalation" of President Donald Trump's campaign against the media. ABC Australia and The Guardian — World emphasized the National Press Club's call for the Justice Department to withdraw the subpoenas, with the club warning the action "should alarm every American" because it threatens the public's constitutional right to an independent press.
A separate report from Al Jazeera, published later, said the US government had withdrawn subpoenas seeking to compel three New York Times reporters to testify about their sources for the Air Force One story. The withdrawal came after Judge Arun Subramanian criticized the government's lawyers for what he deemed "sloppy legal work" in court. The judge said, "Subpoenas are not the first thing you do; they are the last thing you do."
Key Claims
- The Department of Justice subpoenaed New York Times journalists after they reported on security concerns involving the new, Qatari-gifted Air Force One.
- The new Air Force One jet was gifted by Qatar and retrofitted by the US military for $400 million.
- Trump used an older model Air Force One jet to leave a NATO summit in Turkey.
- The subpoenas sought to force the reporters to testify before a federal grand jury in Manhattan.
- The US National Press Club urged the Justice Department to withdraw the subpoenas.
- The new Air Force One lacked antimissile capabilities as well as other protective features that older models are equipped with.
- The Trump administration withdrew subpoenas seeking to compel New York Times reporters to testify about their sources for the Air Force One story.
Perspectives
Press Freedom Advocates: The National Press Club said the subpoenas "threaten the public's constitutional right to an independent press" and called for their immediate withdrawal. David McCraw, a lawyer for the Times, said "the appearance of federal law enforcement agents on the doorstep of news reporters should shock the conscience of any American who believes in the Constitution and the press freedom it protects." Bruce D. Brown, president of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, said the subpoenas "break from longstanding Justice Department practice to protect the public interest and press independence."
The Judiciary: Judge Arun Subramanian criticized the government's legal work, saying, "Subpoenas are not the first thing you do; they are the last thing you do," and suggested sanctions might be considered in a civil proceeding.
The Government: The Justice Department said it is pursuing those who have leaked material to reporters for a story about Trump taking an older model Air Force One jet back from a summit in Turkey. The subpoenas were authorized by Jay Clayton, the US attorney for the Southern District of New York, and were issued after FBI Director Kash Patel and other Justice Department officials met at the White House.