The Department of Justice has issued subpoenas to New York Times journalists after they reported on security concerns involving the new Air Force One, a gift from Qatar that the U.S. spent $400 million to retrofit and upgrade. The move has raised concerns about press freedom and the Trump administration’s efforts to target the media.

Background

The new jet entered service last week, but President Donald Trump used an older model to leave a NATO summit in Turkey, citing threats from Iran. The Times reported that the switch was made at the urging of the Secret Service due to security concerns with the new plane.

The subpoenas, which seek to compel the reporters to testify before a federal grand jury in Manhattan, have been criticized by press freedom advocates. The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press called the move a break from longstanding Justice Department practice to protect the public interest and press independence.

Reaction

David McCraw, a lawyer for the Times, said the appearance of federal law enforcement agents on the doorstep of news reporters should shock the conscience of any American who believes in the Constitution and the press freedom it protects. The Justice Department said it values and appreciates the important role that the press plays in the country but also has a role to ensure that people entrusted with national secrets do not leak classified information.

The incident is part of a larger pattern by the Trump administration to target the media and undermine press freedom. Earlier this year, the Justice Department issued subpoenas seeking to compel testimony from reporters at The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal, which were later withdrawn.

Original reporting: NBC Connecticut — read the source article.