Media groups condemn subpoenas issued to New York Times reporters over Air Force One coverage

Five reporters from The New York Times were served with subpoenas that require them to appear before a federal grand jury in Manhattan after the newspaper published a story about security issues surrounding a newly delivered Air Force One gifted by Qatar. The subpoenas, issued by U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton, were delivered to some journalists at their homes and are part of a broader investigation that began after the White House held an eight-hour meeting with Justice Department officials and FBI Director Kash Patel.

Press-freedom organizations condemned the action as an intimidation of independent media. Jodie Ginsberg of the Committee to Protect Journalists said the subpoenas represent “an extraordinary escalation” that could chill journalistic work nationwide. Former CNN White House bureau chief Frank Sesno described the subpoenas as “dangerous and uncharted territory” and warned they illustrate pressure from the White House on law-enforcement agencies.

The National Press Club called on the Justice Department to withdraw the subpoenas, stating that serving journalists at their homes “is an extraordinary assault on the freedom of the press.” The Times’ executive editor Joseph Kahn said the newspaper will fight the subpoenas, asserting that the law protects journalists from retaliatory prosecutorial actions.

The subpoenas follow earlier incidents in which the Trump administration sought court orders against media outlets and, in January, the FBI searched the home of a Washington Post reporter. The current legal challenge adds to ongoing disputes over media access to the Pentagon and other government information.