By Chiemeka Ugwowo
Trump’s DOJ Withdraws Subpoenas Targeting New York Times Reporters Over Qatari Jet Leak Probe
The United States Department of Justice has withdrawn subpoenas issued to journalists of The New York Times seeking information about confidential sources linked to a report on President Donald Trump’s claims regarding a Qatari-gifted Air Force One aircraft.
The decision came on Thursday after a heated hearing at the Southern District of New York, where Judge Arun Subramanian questioned federal prosecutors over what they described as “inadvertent errors” in their application for the subpoenas.
“The government is prepared to unilaterally withdraw the subpoenas at this time,” Sean Buckley, chief counsel to the US Attorney’s Office, told the court.
The move followed strong opposition from The New York Times, which argued that the subpoenas represented an attempt to intimidate journalists and undermine the protection of confidential sources.
The Justice Department, however, maintained that the investigation was not aimed at journalists but focused on identifying individuals suspected of leaking classified information.
A department spokesperson said the investigation remains active, adding that the government would continue to pursue those responsible for allegedly compromising national security.
The withdrawal was welcomed by press freedom advocates, who described the subpoenas as an unnecessary attack on journalistic independence.
Bruce D. Brown, president of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, said the move showed that “targeting reporters to appease the White House” had failed in federal court, describing the action as government overreach.
Judge Subramanian reportedly indicated during the hearing that he was prepared to quash the subpoenas if the government refused to withdraw them.
The Times’ top newsroom lawyer, David McCraw, said the newspaper was pleased with the government’s decision but argued that the subpoenas should never have been issued.
The legal dispute began after The New York Times published a report on July 10 alleging that US officials had raised security concerns about the Qatari-donated aircraft. The report challenged Trump’s public explanation that the plane was being positioned for US service members to tour.
Following the publication, the Justice Department launched a leak investigation and took steps to identify government officials who may have provided information to the newspaper.
Some subpoenas were reportedly delivered by FBI agents to the homes of Times reporters, prompting the newspaper to accuse the government of using legal pressure to intimidate the media.
The case has renewed debate in the United States over the balance between national security investigations and press freedom, with journalists’ groups warning that threats against confidential sources could discourage whistleblowers from exposing matters of public interest.
The New York Times said it would continue its reporting without fear or favour, insisting that protecting confidential sources remains a key pillar of independent journalism.
