Chief of staff Susie Wiles and FBI Director Kash Patel are leading an investigation into the leak of security information about a new Air Force One plane gifted by Qatar. As part of the probe, some White House officials have been asked to turn over their phones to investigators.

Investigation Details

The investigation began after President Trump expressed frustration over disclosures about the new plane’s security deficiencies. The White House has since launched an intense leak probe, with Patel taking a hands-on role in running the investigation.

According to sources, Patel spent seven hours in an office next to Wiles’, establishing a ‘war room’ in the West Wing to oversee the probe. Investigators have sought information from officials who traveled with Trump or had a role in the trip, including those from various agencies.

The effort has raised concerns about the extent to which the White House is exerting control over a law enforcement investigation, potentially breaching the Justice Department’s historic independence.

First Amendment Concerns

The Justice Department’s move to subpoena New York Times journalists who reported on the security concerns has been criticized by free press advocates as an affront to the First Amendment. The Times has announced plans to fight the subpoenas in court.

Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.