Story perspectives

Judge Rebukes DOJ, Subpoenas Withdrawn from Times Reporters

7/24/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Justice Department withdrew subpoenas against Times reporters on July 23 2026 after Judge Arun Subramanian rebuked them.
The July 11 subpoenas would have forced testimony on sources about Donald Trump’s Qatar-gifted Air Force One and demanded phone records of reporters, spouses and a mother, which Times called intimidation.
The Qatar-donated Boeing 747-8 Air Force One, costing $400 million, entered service as President Donald Trump used a plane to leave NATO summit in Turkey July.

History

Historical Context

The 1971 Supreme Court case New York Times Co. v. United States, a 6-3 ruling authored by Justice Harry Blackmun, rejected prior restraint on the Pentagon Papers on June 30 and forced the Nixon administration to defend the publication. That precedent guided Judge Arun Subramanian’s July 23 2026 rebuke, prompting the Justice Department to drop subpoenas against Times reporters and reaffirm press-source protection.

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Story summary

The Justice Department withdrew subpoenas against Times reporters on July 23 2026 after Judge Arun Subramanian rebuked them.
The July 11 subpoenas would have forced testimony on sources about Donald Trump’s Qatar-gifted Air Force One and demanded phone records of reporters, spouses and a mother, which Times called intimidation.
The Qatar-donated Boeing 747-8 Air Force One, costing $400 million, entered service as President Donald Trump used a plane to leave NATO summit in Turkey July.

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