Trump administration subpoenas New York Times reporters after Air Force One report
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The Justice Department issued subpoenas to several New York Times journalists to appear before a Manhattan grand jury following the paper's reporting on alleged security deficiencies in the newly delivered Air Force One.
The Justice Department delivered subpoenas to multiple New York Times reporters on Friday, ordering them to testify before a federal grand jury in Manhattan on Wednesday, according to the newspaper. The subpoenas were issued after the Times published a series of reports citing anonymous sources that the president’s newer Air Force One, a gift from Qatar, lacked certain advanced security features and that the Secret Service had advised the president to use an older aircraft for part of his recent trip to Europe.
The Times said federal agents handed the subpoenas to the journalists at their residences. The newspaper could not independently verify the subpoenas, and neither the White House nor the Department of Justice responded to requests for comment.
"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," said David McCraw, the paper’s lawyer, in a statement.
President Trump had flown the newer aircraft to a NATO summit in Turkey before switching to an older jet for a stop at the Royal Air Force base in Mildenhall, England, and then returning to the newer plane for the flight back to Joint Base Andrews. The switch was reported as being prompted by Secret Service concerns.
U.S. officials told CBS News that the new plane was rushed into service and was missing some desired defensive capabilities. A former government official expressed worry that insufficient time and funding had prevented the aircraft from being fully equipped for its role.
The White House later denied any security shortcomings, with spokesperson Steven Chung stating the aircraft is "a state-of-the-art aircraft that has been fitted with high-level security protocols that ensure the safety of the President and his staff."