\n\n

Trump administration subpoenas NY Times journalists in grand jury leak probe tied to Air Force One report

The Trump administration has subpoenaed several journalists at the New York Times following their report surrounding security concerns over the president’s new Air Force One aircraft, the paper announced.

The legal action comes after the new jet, a newly retrofitted Boeing 747-8 gifted to President Donald Trump from Qatar, took its inaugural flight earlier this month.

The subpoenas were issued to the journalists — identified as Eric Lipton, Julian E. Barnes, Tyler Pager and Eric Schmitt — on Friday and seek to require those served to testify before a grand jury in Manhattan federal court on Wednesday, the paper said.

NEW AIR FORCE ONE TAKES FLIGHT AS TRUMP UNVEILS REVAMPED PRESIDENTIAL AIRCRAFT

The Times added that federal agents delivered some of the subpoenas directly to the reporters’ homes.

“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,” David McCraw, the Times’ top lawyer, said in a statement.

Earlier this week, Trump flew on the new aircraft to a NATO summit in Turkey, but later departed for the Mildenhall Royal Air Force Base in Suffolk, England on an older Air Force One jet.

TRUMP EXPLAINS WHY HE’S FLYING OLD AIR FORCE ONE BACK TO DC

The Qatari-gifted plane also flew to Mildenhall, where Trump then moved to that aircraft for his flight to Joint Base Andrews.

In an article published earlier this week and citing anonymous sources, the Times reported that the last-minute swap was made under the recommendation of the Secret Service, and added the $400 million retrofitted jet did not possess specific security and countermeasure technology.

The switch came as the U.S. launched airstrikes on Iran and Tehran after a ceasefire with Iran fell through, prompting questions surrounding the jet as Turkey and Iran share a border.

TRUMP SAYS HE’S IRAN’S ‘NO. 1’ TARGET AS RENEWED CONFLICT RAISES ASSASSINATION FEARS

Trump has since denied any security concerns surrounding the jet, instead posting on Truth Social that the Mildenhall stop was conducted so service members stationed on the base could view the new aircraft.

According to the Associated Press, when asked on the flight if the plane swap was made in response to security concerns involving Iran, Trump replied, “I have a threat all the time. I’m No. 1 on their list.”

In a statement to Fox News Digital, the Department of Justice doubled down on the legal escalation, while vowing that the reporters themselves are not being targeted by the administration.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE

“Every administration has addressed the crime of leaking national security information. To the extent that we have to investigate breaches of national security, that’s something that we will continue to do,” the DOJ spokesperson said.

“To be clear, reporters are not the targets, those leaking classified information are. 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 continued.

The statement concluded, “We recognize there may always be natural tension there, but we are not going to ignore the law and stop investigating the people who work in the administration and think it’s okay to leak classified information impacting national security.”

Related Posts

Judge blocks Trump’s Postal Service regulation on mail-in ballots

The judge said the regulation is most likely unlawful because the president can’t insert the federal government into elections without Congress’ approval.

Judge blocks Trump’s Postal Service regulation on mail-in ballots

The judge said the regulation is most likely unlawful because the president can’t insert the federal government into elections without Congress’ approval.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You Missed

Israel closes probe into Gaza strike that killed British workers

Israel closes probe into Gaza strike that killed British workers

Aid chief says US-backed Board of Peace is ‘failing’ Gaza

Aid chief says US-backed Board of Peace is ‘failing’ Gaza

DOJ in court to defend Kennedy Center Board’s new push to add Trump’s name to building

DOJ in court to defend Kennedy Center Board’s new push to add Trump’s name to building

Why some jurors in Lindsay Clancy trial won’t participate in deliberations

Why some jurors in Lindsay Clancy trial won’t participate in deliberations

Norway’s King Harald V has died at the age of 89 | BBC News

Norway’s King Harald V has died at the age of 89 | BBC News

Yankee fans get politically deep with ‘Jesse Watters Primetime’

Yankee fans get politically deep with ‘Jesse Watters Primetime’