Four New York Times Reporters Subpoenaed Over Questions About President Trump's Qatar-Gifted Air Force One
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Federal prosecutors issued grand-jury subpoenas to four Times journalists after the newspaper reported that the Secret Service advised President Trump to use an older Air Force One for his return from Turkey, citing security concerns about the newer Qatar-gifted aircraft.
Federal prosecutors in Manhattan served grand-jury subpoenas on four New York Times reporters on Friday, ordering them to appear before a grand jury on Wednesday in connection with an alleged criminal violation. The subpoenas were issued by U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton, a recent Trump nominee for director of national intelligence, and were delivered to the journalists' homes.
The subpoenas follow the newspaper’s reporting that the Secret Service had recommended President Donald Trump travel back from the NATO summit in Ankara on an older VC-25A aircraft rather than the newly delivered Qatar-gifted Boeing 747-8, which the administration has designated as a bridge Air Force One. The recommendation was reportedly made amid renewed tensions with Iran. President Trump later said the older jet was used for “security reasons” and noted that the newer aircraft lacked certain defensive features.
The Justice Department has previously issued similar subpoenas to reporters from the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal, both of which were later withdrawn. The current subpoenas do not specify the alleged offense under investigation.
Officials have not publicly confirmed whether the Qatar-gifted jet includes the full suite of missile-defense and communications systems found on legacy presidential aircraft, which are typically classified. Analysts and some members of Congress have expressed doubt about the aircraft’s protective capabilities, while an Air Force spokesperson said the bridge aircraft is safe and equipped with advanced technology.
The Times’ newsroom attorney, David McCraw, said the presence of federal agents at journalists’ doorsteps “should shock the conscience of any American.” Neither the White House nor the Justice Department has responded to requests for comment on the subpoenas.