Justice Department Withdraws Grand Jury Subpoenas Targeting Washington Post and Wall Street Journal Reporters

In June 2026 the Justice Department issued grand-jury subpoenas to four journalists—Washington Post reporter Ellen Nakashima and three Wall Street Journal reporters—demanding testimony about classified reporting. The subpoenas, filed in the Eastern District of Virginia, would have forced appearance under threat of contempt and possible jail. After the outlets challenged the orders in sealed filings, the department withdrew the subpoenas; no testimony occurred.

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The subpoenas came amid a leak crackdown that began with an FBI raid on a Washington Post reporter’s home in January 2026 and the Pentagon’s revocation of journalists’ credentials. In April 2025 Attorney General Pam Bondi rescinded Biden-era limits on journalist protection, restoring the DOJ’s subpoena power. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche oversaw the June action.

US Justice Department withdraws subpoenas targeting reporters in leak probe

Four journalists—three from the Wall Street Journal and one from the Washington Post—were targeted. The subpoenas carried contempt penalties and possible jail. Direct subpoenas of reporters are rare, with the last high-profile case the 2004 Plame affair.

United Press International (UPI)

Compelling reporters to reveal sources or methods threatens the First Amendment, can chill newsgathering, and may deter whistleblowers. The withdrawal was praised as a press-freedom win, but leak probe continues, leaving the balance between national-security enforcement and a free press unsettled.

Latin Times

Blanche said reporters are not DOJ targets while pledging to pursue unauthorized disclosures. Washington Post called the subpoena a clear violation of press freedom. Dow Jones’ Sinha called the subpoenas an attack on protected newsgathering. DOJ declined further comment, citing grand-jury secrecy.

Common Dreams

Schoeff Jr. called the action among the most aggressive against a free press. Reporters Without Borders said the tactic resembled a dictator’s playbook. Press-freedom groups warned grand-jury testimony could expose unrelated stories and erode source protection.

Raw Story

Sources disagree on whether the subpoenas related to Iran-war coverage or U.S. actions in Venezuela, and the DOJ has not explained the withdrawal.

Common Dreams

• “The unwarranted subpoena of our reporter Ellen Nakashima — a clear violation of constitutionally guaranteed press freedom — was another sign of the government seeking to compel journalists to become instruments of its investigations,” — Washington Post spokesperson

NBC News

• “The government’s subpoenas to The Wall Street Journal and our reporters represent an attack on constitutionally protected newsgathering,” — Ashok Sinha, Dow Jones

Politico

• “one of the most aggressive actions against a free and independent press in recent memory.” — Mark Schoeff Jr., National Press Club

Associated Press

• “Subpoenaing journalists to appear before a grand jury under the guise of ‘national security’ is straight out of the dictator's playbook,” — Reporters Without Borders

Common Dreams

The DOJ says it will continue leak investigations; newsrooms say they will stay vigilant, and press-freedom groups will monitor future subpoenas.

Latin Times