Trump Administration Issues Subpoenas to Several Journalists Over Air Force One Story

The Trump administration on Friday issued subpoenas to several journalists from The New York Times following the newspaper's recent reporting on security concerns surrounding the newly introduced Air Force One aircraft, according to the publication. The aircraft, presented to President Donald Trump as a gift by Qatar, entered official service only last week. According to The New York Times, the subpoenas require the reporters to appear before a federal grand jury in Manhattan on Wednesday. The newspaper also stated that federal agents personally delivered some of the legal notices to journalists at their homes.

The report has not been independently verified, and neither the White House nor the US Department of Justice immediately commented on the matter. David McCraw, legal counsel for The New York Times, criticized the move, saying that the sight of federal law enforcement officers arriving at journalists' homes should concern anyone who values constitutional protections and press freedom.

The subpoenas come shortly after Trump used the new Air Force One to travel to a NATO summit in Turkey. However, he later departed for Mildenhall, a Royal Air Force base in Suffolk, England, aboard an older Air Force One before switching to the newer aircraft for the return journey. Both planes had flown to the UK. The unusual aircraft change occurred as tensions in the Middle East escalated after a ceasefire with Iran collapsed, prompting US airstrikes and retaliatory actions by Tehran against Gulf nations. Since Iran shares a border with Turkey, speculation emerged that the Qatar-donated aircraft—reportedly refurbished at a cost of around USD 400 million—might not yet have all of the advanced defensive systems installed.

Earlier reports by The New York Times, citing unnamed sources, claimed that the Secret Service had advised the aircraft switch and that the newer plane lacked certain security capabilities, including advanced anti-missile defenses, found on the older presidential aircraft. President Trump dismissed those claims, stating on social media that the stop in Mildenhall was intended to allow US service members stationed there to view the new aircraft. Speaking to reporters during the trip, he also rejected suggestions that security concerns related to Iran influenced the decision to use two planes, adding that he routinely faces threats.

"I have a threat all the time. I'm No. 1 on their list," Trump said. The White House also rejected claims that the aircraft was inadequately protected. Spokesman Steven Cheung described the new Air Force One as a state-of-the-art aircraft equipped with extensive security measures to safeguard the president and his staff. He added that the administration employs multiple strategies, including operational deception, to address potential threats.

According to the newspaper, journalists who received subpoenas include Julian E. Barnes, Eric Lipton, Tyler Pager, and Eric Schmitt. The latest action follows similar moves earlier this year, when the Justice Department subpoenaed reporters from The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal in separate investigations. Those subpoenas were later withdrawn.