The U.S. Department of Justice has subpoenaed several New York Times journalists for testimony before a federal grand jury next week, a move tied to reporting on Air Force One. The Times describes the subpoenas as a brazen effort to deter coverage by pressuring reporters at their homes, highlighting that federal agents delivered the orders Friday evening in what the newspaper called a departure from long-standing DOJ practice.
The July 11 reporting shows that four bylined reporters on the Wednesday piece — Julian E. Barnes, Eric Lipton, Tyler Pager and Eric Schmitt — were among those subpoenaed, according to the Times. The subpoenas require the journalists to testify in Manhattan, with the government indicating the testimony would concern an alleged federal criminal law violation related to the article on the aircraft gifted to President Trump by Qatar and used for official duties. The Times noted the subpoenas seek to compel testimony, not to compel publication or the sharing of unreported facts.
David McCraw, senior vice president and deputy general counsel for the Times, condemned the move as a breach of constitutional protections and press independence. He stated that journalists report facts and inform the public about government operations and taxpayer money, and he characterized the subpoenas as an intimidation tactic aimed at preventing inquiry.
Before the Times published the Wednesday story, a senior FBI official reportedly contacted a reporter and editor to request delaying publication, without explaining the reason, and also asked that sources for the story be identified. Times employees reportedly refused those requests. The Times was the first outlet to report the events surrounding Air Force One and the Qatar donation.
The subpoenas were issued by U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton of the Southern District of New York, a figure recently nominated by Trump for a national intelligence post. Both the White House and the FBI declined to comment, and NPR did not immediately receive a response from the district office.
Advocacy groups for press freedom criticized the action, with the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press noting that the subpoenas diverge from established DOJ practice intended to protect public interest and independence of the press. The committee pointed to accountability hearings as a necessary check on the process.
The broader political context includes ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and major outlets, including previous settlements with other news organizations and ongoing legal actions involving coverage of the president. Separately, the FBI has conducted other investigative steps concerning reporters in connection with leaks and other investigations tied to administration activities. The Times continues to report on government efforts and their impact on media access and accountability.
