The DOJ has retracted subpoenas directed at NY Times reporters involved in reporting on President Trump’s new Air Force One jet.
The DOJ has retracted subpoenas directed at NY Times reporters involved in reporting on President Trump’s new Air Force One jet.
The Department of Justice is retracting subpoenas it issued for New York Times reporters connected to an article concerning President Donald Trump’s new Air Force One jet. The announcement came during a federal court hearing in Manhattan on Thursday, where Judge Arun Subramanian was assessing a motion by The Times to annul the subpoenas targeting its journalists.
On July 10, the DOJ had served subpoenas aiming to compel Times reporters to testify before a federal grand jury. Some subpoenas were reportedly delivered to the reporters’ homes by federal agents.
These subpoenas were issued by Manhattan U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton, who has been nominated by Trump to serve as the director of national intelligence. During his Senate confirmation hearing on July 15, Clayton was questioned about the subpoenas.
On Monday, The Times reported that the DOJ informed the newspaper that it had also issued subpoenas to third-party phone service providers to secure the phone and text message records of several journalists. Notably, one subpoena targeted the phone records of a reporter’s mother.
The investigation stemmed from a Times report addressing security concerns related to Trump’s new Air Force One, which was donated by Qatar. The Times revealed on July 8 that Trump returned from Turkey on the older Air Force One rather than the new Qatari-donated Boeing 747-8, citing security precautions amid rising tensions with Iran.
The newspaper stated that individuals familiar with the new aircraft’s capabilities had pointed out that the new plane lacked certain security features present in the older model.
David McCraw, a lawyer representing The Times, voiced protest against the subpoenas on July 11, stating, ‘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.’ He continued, emphasizing that the journalists were fundamentally doing their job to inform the public on governmental matters and how their taxpayer dollars are being utilized.
During his recent testimony to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Clayton refrained from detailing the specifics of the investigation related to the article about Air Force One. However, he declared confidence in the protective measures in place to uphold the First Amendment and ensure the freedom of the press, negating any intimidation of journalists.
This development represents a significant reversal for the DOJ amidst ongoing concerns about press freedoms and government accountability. As this is a breaking news story, updates are expected as the situation unfolds.
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