WASHINGTON — Media organizations and press freedom advocates condemned the Trump administration’s subpoenas targeting five New York Times journalists, calling the move an unprecedented escalation that threatens press freedom and could intimidate reporters nationwide.
The subpoenas, issued by the U.S. attorney’s office in Manhattan, seek testimony from Times reporters who covered security concerns involving the new Qatari-donated Air Force One. Some subpoenas were reportedly served at the journalists’ homes.
The Justice Department said the reporters are not the targets of the investigation, stating the focus is on identifying individuals who leaked classified information.
Press freedom groups disputed that justification. Committee to Protect Journalists CEO Jodie Ginsberg described the subpoenas as “an extraordinary escalation” in efforts to intimidate independent media, while the National Press Club called for their immediate withdrawal, saying the action threatens First Amendment protections.
Former CNN White House bureau chief Frank Sesno said the subpoenas represent “dangerous and uncharted territory,” arguing they reflect increasing government pressure on news organizations reporting on matters of public interest.
The subpoenas stem from a New York Times report citing anonymous sources that said security officials advised against using a newly retrofitted Air Force One because it lacked some advanced defensive capabilities found on the older presidential aircraft. President Donald Trump denied there were security concerns.
The New York Times said it will challenge the subpoenas in court, with Executive Editor Joseph Kahn expressing confidence that the judiciary will reject what he described as an abuse of prosecutorial power.
