The Trump administration has subpoenaed several journalists from The New York Times as part of a grand jury investigation into leaks concerning a report about the security features of the new Air Force One aircraft. The subpoenas were issued to reporters Eric Lipton, Julian E. Barnes, Tyler Pager, and Eric Schmitt, demanding their testimony before a Manhattan federal court grand jury.
The New York Times announced the legal action, stating that federal agents delivered some subpoenas directly to the reporters' homes. The paper's top lawyer, David McCraw, criticized the move, saying, "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."
The report in question detailed a switch in presidential aircraft during President Donald Trump's recent travel. Trump flew to a NATO summit in Turkey on the new, Qatari-gifted Boeing 747-8 but departed for RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, England, on an older Air Force One jet. The new aircraft also flew to Mildenhall, where Trump then transferred to it for his flight to Joint Base Andrews.
According to The Times' earlier report, which cited anonymous sources, the last-minute aircraft change was recommended by the Secret Service due to the $400 million retrofitted jet lacking specific security and countermeasure technology. This decision came amid heightened tensions with Iran, following U.S. airstrikes and the collapse of a ceasefire, raising concerns given Turkey and Iran share a border.
President Trump has denied that security concerns influenced the aircraft switch. He stated on Truth Social that the stop at Mildenhall was intended to allow service members stationed there to view the new aircraft. When asked about potential security issues related to Iran, Trump reportedly said, "I have a threat all the time. I’m No. 1 on their list."
The Department of Justice, in a statement to Fox News Digital, affirmed the administration's stance on investigating leaks of national security information. A DOJ spokesperson emphasized that the reporters themselves are not the targets, but rather individuals who leak classified information. "We value and appreciate the important role that the press plays in this country, but DOJ also plays an important role to make sure that the people entrusted with our nation's secrets do what they're supposed to do with that information, which means not sharing classified information," the statement read. The department acknowledged the inherent tension between investigative needs and press freedom but stated it would not ignore the law when investigating alleged breaches of national security.