Trump’s Justice Department Tried to Force New York Times Reporters Before Grand Jury Over Qatari Plane, Then Dropped Appeals.

Journalists reported why Trump left Turkey on an old Air Force One: the Qatari-donated plane had no anti-missile defenses. Prosecutors backed out of court, but told the judge they could no longer go after the reporters.

A federal prosecutor agreed in court on July 23 to withdraw subpoenas that would have forced New York Times reporters before a grand jury over their reporting on the donated Qatari jet.

The subpoenas came from Manhattan US Attorney Jay Clayton, who was chosen by Trump to be the next director of national intelligence. He sought grand jury testimony after the Times reported that Trump flew out of Turkey on an older Air Force One because the newly donated plane lacked anti-aircraft and other safety features. The Times asked a judge to throw out the subpoenas, saying they were improperly issued and violated First Amendment protections for the press.

State Attorney Sean Buckley announced the planned withdrawal after Judge Arun Subramanian spent nearly an hour questioning federal lawyers about the leak investigation. Buckley told the court that the investigation was ongoing and the government could subpoena reporters.

David McCraw, an attorney for the Times, called it “an important testament to our country’s commitment to a free press,” while adding that the subpoenas “should never have been issued in the first place.”

“The Times and our reporters will continue to report and seek the truth without fear or bias,” he said. “We will not be discouraged when we are faced with tactics like these.”

The Justice Department deferred to the judge. A DOJ spokesman said Subramanian prevented the department from “launching a thorough investigation process” and accused him of “obstructing a grand jury from obtaining evidence that is fundamental to a national security investigation.” The spokesperson vowed to “bring justice to those who threaten national security by leaking classified information, which is a serious federal crime.”

These complaints received criticism from the National Press Club, the International Press Institute and the Committee to Protect Journalists, which accused the administration of trying to intimidate journalists.

“Every American should understand what is at stake when the government turns its investigative powers over to journalists,” said National Press Club President Mark Schoeff Jr. in the statement. “It’s not routine. It’s an extraordinary intrusion that goes to the heart of the First Amendment and your right to information about your government.”

The movement fits a broad pattern. In April 2025, then-Attorney General Pam Bondi rescinded a Biden-era policy that gave journalists greater immunity from government searches. In January, the FBI searched the home of a Washington Post reporter in an investigation into a contractor accused of illegally storing classified documents. In May, the administration proposed a federal nondisclosure agreement that would bring civil and criminal penalties.

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