Justice Department Subpoenas New York Times Reporters in Air Force One Leak Investigation

The U.S. Justice Department issued subpoenas on July 11, 2026, to four New York Times reporters. Federal agents delivered the documents to the reporters' homes. The subpoenas require the journalists to appear before a federal grand jury in Manhattan on July 16.

The subpoenas seek testimony about the New York Times' reporting on security concerns with the new Air Force One, a Boeing 747-8 donated by Qatar. The newspaper had published stories citing anonymous sources that the Secret Service urged President Trump to depart a NATO summit in Turkey aboard an older aircraft rather than the newer plane.

The Times also reported that the newer aircraft lacked some defensive countermeasures, including advanced antimissile capabilities present on the older model.

The new aircraft underwent a $400 million retrofit with upgrades in security, mission communications and advanced technology, according to the U.S. Air Force. President Trump denied security concerns with the new aircraft.

He stated on social media that a stop in Mildenhall allowed service members to view the new jet and told accompanying reporters during the flight home that he faces threats from Iran regularly. The Justice Department stated that reporters are not the targets of the investigation.

It said the focus remains on identifying officials who leaked classified information and that subpoenas are used only after other avenues have been exhausted.

Earlier this year the department issued subpoenas to reporters at the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal that were later withdrawn. In January, FBI agents searched the home of a Washington Post reporter as part of a separate leak investigation. The New York Times stated it intends to challenge the subpoenas.

A senior FBI official contacted a Times reporter and editor before the July 9 article and asked that the story be held and sources identified; both requests were refused.