Justice Department Issues Subpoenas to New York Times Reporters Over Qatar Plane Reporting

Federal agents delivered subpoenas last week to several New York Times reporters at their homes, seeking testimony before a grand jury about the newspaper's reporting on a Boeing 747 jet donated by the Qatari government. The Times reported that the aircraft was intended as a replacement for Air Force One.

Security concerns led the Secret Service to advise against using the donated plane for a departure from Turkey, the newspaper said.

The story relied on unnamed people briefed on the new plane's capabilities who spoke on condition of anonymity. Those sources said the donated aircraft lacks some security features present on the older plane. The Times also reported that a full upgrade of the donated aircraft could cost up to $1 billion.

The newspaper published the story after the administration asked it to withhold publication for national security reasons.

The administration launched a leak investigation after publication. It described the plane swap as a form of distraction and misdirection intended to foil threats. President Trump has continued to praise the donated aircraft.

Kahn, the top editor of the Times, called the subpoenas a naked attempt to intimidate reporters and prevent independent news media from doing reporting protected by the First Amendment. Stephen Adler, chairperson of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, said the public's right to know is being crushed.

“It's exactly the kind of journalism that press rights, enshrined in the First Amendment, are intended to protect." — Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press statement The Times said it will defend the reporters aggressively. The subpoenas require testimony within days, an action the newspaper described as highly unusual.”