The Trump administration issued subpoenas on Friday to several New York Times journalists following the newspaper's reports on security concerns involving the new Air Force One. The subpoenas compel the reporters to testify before a federal grand jury in Manhattan on Wednesday, with federal agents delivering some of the subpoenas to the reporters' homes.
The New York Times reported that the new Boeing 747-8 aircraft, gifted by Qatar and undergoing a $400 million retrofit, lacked certain advanced security features, including anti-missile capabilities, compared to the older Air Force One. The reports cited anonymous sources and suggested the Secret Service urged President Trump to switch planes during a recent trip to Turkey and England.
Trump denied any security concerns, stating the stop in England was to allow service members to view the new aircraft. The White House defended the plane's security, calling it a state-of-the-art aircraft with high-level security protocols. The Air Force acknowledged changes to the equipment but denied any risks to security or safety.
The developments come amid heightened tensions with Iran, with a shaky ceasefire having collapsed and the U.S. launching airstrikes on Iran. The new Air Force One entered service last week, and the administration faces increasing pressure to disclose details of the aircraft's security upgrades.