Story perspectives

Press Freedom Win: DOJ Subpoenas Withdrawn After Challenge

6/23/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Justice Department issued subpoenas to Washington Post reporter Ellen Nakashima and three Wall Street Journal journalists covering national-security stories.
Washington Post spokesperson Olivia Petersen said the subpoenas breached press freedom.
After the newspapers challenged the subpoenas in proceedings before the Eastern District of Virginia federal court, the subpoenas were withdrawn.
Executive Editor Matt Murray thanked legal staff and reaffirmed the Post’s commitment to First Amendment rights.

History

Historical Context

In June 1971 the Supreme Court, in a six-to-three decision, rejected the Nixon administration’s effort to block the New York Times and Washington Post from publishing about 7,000 classified Pentagon Papers pages, affirming that prior restraint bears a heavy burden. That precedent now guides judges curbing Justice Department subpoenas to Washington Post reporter Ellen Nakashima and Wall Street Journal journalists.

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Story summary

The Justice Department issued subpoenas to Washington Post reporter Ellen Nakashima and three Wall Street Journal journalists covering national-security stories.
Washington Post spokesperson Olivia Petersen said the subpoenas breached press freedom.
After the newspapers challenged the subpoenas in proceedings before the Eastern District of Virginia federal court, the subpoenas were withdrawn.
Executive Editor Matt Murray thanked legal staff and reaffirmed the Post’s commitment to First Amendment rights.

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