Trump Administration Subpoenas New York Times Reporters Over Air Force One Reporting

On Friday, the Trump administration issued federal subpoenas to several New York Times reporters. The subpoenas compel the journalists to appear before a Manhattan grand jury on Wednesday and were delivered in some cases by agents who knocked on the reporters’ doors. The action follows the newspaper’s recent story on security concerns surrounding President Trump’s newly acquired, Qatari-donated Air Force One. The subpoenas are broadly worded, requesting testimony “in regard to an alleged violation of federal criminal law,” and contain few specific allegations. They were signed by U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton, who the president has recently nominated to become director of national intelligence.

New York Times

The Times report raised questions about how the aircraft—gifted by Qatar and intended to replace the aging fleet—was being secured and funded. Earlier in the administration, Trump officials have repeatedly challenged media coverage they deem unfavorable, but the use of grand-jury subpoenas against reporters marks a notable escalation in that pattern.

New York Times

The New York Times denounced the subpoenas as an attempt to intimidate independent journalism. The outlet’s top newsroom lawyer, David McCraw, issued a statement asserting that the appearance of federal agents at journalists’ homes “should shock the conscience of any American who believes in the Constitution and the press freedom it protects.”

New York Times

Legal observers and press-freedom advocates have warned that the subpoenas could set a precedent for using criminal investigations to silence reporting. The broad language of the subpoenas and the involvement of a U.S. attorney slated for a senior intelligence post have intensified concerns about the administration’s willingness to leverage law-enforcement tools against the press.

New York Times

• “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,” — David McCraw, The Times top newsroom lawyer

New York Times

• “Our journalists report the facts and advance the American public’s right to know how their government is operating and their taxpayer dollars are being used,” — David McCraw

New York Times

• “This brazen act should be seen as nothing more than an attempt to prevent the public from knowing what is happening in their country by intimidating journalists from doing their jobs.” — David McCraw

New York Times

• “in regard to an alleged violation of federal criminal law.” — subpoena text

New York Times