The New York Times reported that at least four of its journalists received subpoenas from the Justice Department on July 11, 2026, following their article addressing security concerns regarding the new Qatari-donated Air Force One. Federal agents reportedly delivered the subpoenas to some reporters' homes. David McRaw, the newspaper's top newsroom lawyer, described this action as an attempt to prevent public awareness of government activities.
The subpoenas require the reporters to testify before a federal grand jury on July 13, but do not specify the topics of their testimony. The subpoenas were issued by Jay Clayton, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. On July 8, the Times reported that security issues led former President Trump to use an older Air Force One jet to depart from the NATO summit in Turkey, based on recommendations from the Secret Service due to tensions with Iran.
When Trump introduced the new $400 million jet from Qatar, he claimed it was the most luxurious plane in the world. The acceptance of a foreign government donation raised questions, and the Air Force has been upgrading the jet's security since September, reportedly costing hundreds of millions of dollars. The subpoenas have been viewed as a significant challenge to press freedom, with concerns raised about the government's justification for investigating journalists under the guise of national security.