The New York Times filed a sealed motion on July 15 to quash Justice Department subpoenas served on three of its reporters, escalating a clash over press freedom and government leak investigations. The subpoenas concern coverage of security issues aboard the new Qatari-gifted Air Force One, which the Trump administration spent $400 million retrofitting.
Jay Clayton, the federal prosecutor in Manhattan, issued the subpoenas and defended them at a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on July 15, saying proper procedures were followed. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche authorized the subpoenas, with reporters ordered to testify before a grand jury this week.
The dispute reflects a broader Justice Department policy shift after Attorney General Pam Bondi rescinded protections for journalists' phone records in leak investigations in April 2025. The motion was filed in the Southern District of New York as five journalists were initially expected to be subpoenaed.