DOJ Withdraws Subpoenas for NY Times Reporters in Air Force One Probe

The Justice Department has withdrawn subpoenas targeting three New York Times reporters following a federal judge's criticism of the government's actions. U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian indicated on July 23 that he would have quashed the subpoenas if the DOJ had not voluntarily withdrawn them. The subpoenas, issued by Manhattan U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton, sought to compel reporters to testify before a grand jury regarding an article about President Donald Trump's use of an old Air Force One aircraft during a NATO summit in Turkey. The article had reported security concerns about the new Air Force One, which was donated by Qatar, and alleged that the Secret Service had urged Trump to use the older plane as a precaution. Subramanian questioned the DOJ's investigative steps, stating that subpoenas should be a last resort and that the government must exhaust other sources before targeting journalists. He also threatened sanctions against the DOJ unless the subpoenas were withdrawn. The DOJ had previously sought phone and text records from the reporters and their family members, including the mother of one journalist. The subpoenas were delivered by federal agents to the reporters' homes. The Times had moved to block the subpoenas, calling them "abusive and improper." The DOJ defended its actions, stating that the grand jury has a right to hear testimony from all material witnesses in a federal criminal investigation. The withdrawal came during a heated court hearing where Subramanian criticized the DOJ's approach, saying it had turned the law "on its head."