{"success":true,"data":{"id":"018ede46-3f2c-4908-b60d-37225fc86a87","title":"Trump’s Justice Department subpoenas NY Times journalists over Qatari Air Force One report","summary":"Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent Notifications can be managed in browser preferences. Not now Yes please US Edition Change Support Now × \"Clear search box\") Custom Search Sort by Relevance Date NewsNews World CupWorld Cup SportsSports CultureCulture LifestyleLifestyle MoneyMon...","content":"## Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent\n\nNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.\n\nNot now Yes please\n\nUS Edition Change\n\nSupport Now\n\n[×](javascript:void(0) \"Clear search box\")\n\nCustom Search\n\nSort by\n\nRelevance\n\nDate\n\n*   News[News](https://www.independent.co.uk/us)\n\n*   World Cup[World Cup](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup)\n\n*   Sports[Sports](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport)\n\n*   Culture[Culture](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment)\n\n*   Lifestyle[Lifestyle](https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style)\n\n*   Money[Money](https://www.independent.co.uk/us/money)\n\n*   Travel[Travel](https://www.independent.co.uk/us/travel)\n\n*   Premium[Premium](https://www.independent.co.uk/independentpremium)\n\nMore\n\nMore\n\n### Thank you for registering\n\nPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in Please refresh your browser to be logged in\n\n# Trump’s Justice Department subpoenas NY Times journalists over Qatari Air Force One report\n\n## The newspaper said the latest move to strong-arm the media should ‘shock the conscience’ of Americans\n\n[Brendan Rascius](https://www.independent.co.uk/author/brendan-rascius)in New York Saturday 11 July 2026 16:21 BST\n\n*   Copy link  \n*   Bookmark  \n*   [23 Comments](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-new-york-times-subpoenas-b3013139.html#comments-area)Go to comments  \n\n## Bookmark popover\n\nRemoved from bookmarks\n\nClose popover\n\nPowered By\n\n10 Sec\n\n27.5K\n\n0\n\nTrump explains why he switched back to old Air Force One from Qatari-gifted jet after leaving NATO summit\n\nNext video in\n\nNext\n\nKEEP WATCHING\n\n### Your support helps us to tell the story\n\nFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.\n\nAt such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.\n\nThe Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.\n\n**Your support makes all the difference.**\n\nThe Trump administration has issued [subpoenas](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/the-washington-post-justice-department-todd-blanche-washington-trump-b3001492.html) to multiple journalists at _The New York Times_ after the newspaper reported on security concerns about the president’s [Qatari-gifted Air Force One](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-air-force-one-defense-systems-b3012612.html), marking the latest salvo in its [efforts to intimidate the media](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-media-attacks-lawsuits-news-b2266662.html).\n\nThe Justice Department subpoenas seek to compel the journalists to appear before a federal grand jury in [New York City](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/nyc-high-rise-previous-violations-b3011175.html) Wednesday, according to [_the Times_](http://go.redirectingat.com/?id=44681X1458326&xcust=b3013139&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2026%2F07%2F11%2Fbusiness%2Fmedia%2Fnew-york-times-trump-subpoenas.html&sref=/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-new-york-times-subpoenas-b3013139.html). Some reporters received the documents from federal agents who turned up at their homes.\n\nThe documents, issued by U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York [Jay Clayton](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-jay-clayton-dni-pulte-b2994253.html), are sparse on specifics. They state that the journalists' testimony is sought “in regard to an alleged violation of federal criminal law.”\n\nThe newspaper swiftly condemned the administration’s actions. _Times_ attorney David McCraw 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.”\n\nHe added: “This brazen act should be seen as nothing more than an attempt to prevent the public from knowing what is happening in their country by intimidating journalists from doing their jobs.”\n\nUndo\n\nUndo\n\n[](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-new-york-times-subpoenas-b3013139.html)[Let ADT set up security while you settle in ADT | [Sponsored](https://popup.taboola.com/en/?template=colorbox&utm_source=eslmedia-theindependent&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=alternating-thumbnails-stream-1x4:Mid%20Article%20Thumbnails%20II:)[Sponsored](https://popup.taboola.com/en/?template=colorbox&utm_source=eslmedia-theindependent&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=alternating-thumbnails-stream-1x4:Mid%20Article%20Thumbnails%20II:)](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-new-york-times-subpoenas-b3013139.html \"Let ADT set up security while you settle in\")\n\nUndo\n\n[](https://www.energybillcruncher.com/pa)[New Program Will Install Solar At No Cost If You Live In South Carolina Energy Bill Cruncher | [Sponsored](https://popup.taboola.com/en/?template=colorbox&utm_source=eslmedia-theindependent&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=alternating-thumbnails-stream-1x4:Mid%20Article%20Thumbnails%20II:)[Sponsored](https://popup.taboola.com/en/?template=colorbox&utm_source=eslmedia-theindependent&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=alternating-thumbnails-stream-1x4:Mid%20Article%20Thumbnails%20II:)](https://www.energybillcruncher.com/pa \"New Program Will Install Solar At No Cost If You Live In South Carolina\")\n\nUndo\n\nopen image in gallery\n\nThe Trump administration issued subpoenas to multiple New York Times journalists after the newspaper reported on security concerns related to the president's new Air Force One. Pictured: Trump speaks to the press before departing for his inaugural flight on the Qatari-gifted jet on July 1(AFP via Getty Images)\n\nIn a statement to _The Independent_, the DOJ said its investigation is aimed not at reporters but at those who leak classified information. “We value and appreciate the important role that the press plays in this country,” the statement read, in part.\n\nSince Trump’s return to office, his administration have moved aggressively against the press, [filing lawsuits against multiple outlets](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-bbc-media-lawsuits-b2919175.html) and [limiting White House access for others](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/karoline-leavitt-ap-reporters-blocked-b2697162.html).\n\nTrump has branded reporters he clashes with as “[treasonous](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-reporter-treasonous-iran-war-b2977334.html)” and said one journalist could “go to jail” over reporting on the Iran war. For years, the Republican has referred to the media as “the enemy of the people.”\n\nAmong the _Times_ reporters who received subpoenas are Julian Barnes, Tyler Pager, Eric Schmitt and Eric Lipton. A report, published Wednesday under their four bylines, revealed that Trump had left the [NATO summit in Turkey](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-turkey-nato-summit-b3010450.html) aboard the old Air Force One plane as a precautionary measure at the direction of the Secret Service. The report cited anonymous sources.\n\nThe new Air Force One, a $400 million Boeing 747-8 donated by Qatar, lacks “some of the advanced security features of the older aircraft, including antimissile capabilities,” according to the _Times._\n\nThe jet, an expensive gift that has raised ethics and security concerns among Democrats, was retrofitted by the Pentagon earlier this year and [officially unveiled by Trump last month](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/donald-trump-air-force-one-qatari-air-force-kennedy-b2999410.html).\n\nTrump said Wednesday he would be flying the older aircraft out of Turkey “[for old times’s sake](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-qatar-jet-air-force-one-nato-summit-b3011630.html).” He later denied that security concerns factored into the decision.\n\n'There will never be one like this,’ Trump said at the unveiling of his new Air Force One last month. ‘This is very unique. This is considered the world's most luxurious plane'(AFP/Getty)\n\nBefore the _Times_ published the article, an FBI official contacted the outlet and asked that it be held, citing national security concerns. The official also asked the newspaper to reveal its sources for the article, which the outlet declined to do.\n\nThis week, multiple other outlets, including [_CNN_](https://www.cnn.com/2026/07/09/politics/plane-trump-air-force-one-security) and[_CBS News_](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/air-force-one-trump-turkey-secret-service/), published similar reports on apparent security concerns related to the new Air Force One.\n\nWhile multiple previous administrations have launched leak investigations over the disclosure of classified information, subpoenas directed at journalists are rare, according to the _Times._\n\nThe Department of Justice has also recently sought to force testimony from reporters at _The Washington Post_ and _The Wall Street Journal_. Those subpoenas were later withdrawn after the outlets fought back.\n\nThe 80-year-old president said he flew out of Turkey on the older aircraft for 'old time's sake.' Pictured: the president speaks to reporters in the White House briefing room following the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner in April(AFP via Getty Images)\n\nIn January, FBI agents opened an investigation into Hannah Natanson, a reporter at _The Washington Post_, over a government contractor’s handling of classified information.\n\nAs part of the probe, [Natanson’s home was searched, with agents seizing laptops, phones and a smartwatch](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/fbi-classified-documents-investigation-reporter-b2900420.html). The reporter had been covering the administration’s mass firing of federal employees.\n\nA spokesperson for the Justice Department described its actions as consistent those of past administrations.","source_name":"The Independent","source_url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-new-york-times-subpoenas-b3013139.html","url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-new-york-times-subpoenas-b3013139.html","author":"Brendan Rascius","author_name":"Brendan Rascius","published_at":"2026-07-11T15:21:33.000Z","publication_date":"2026-07-11T15:21:33.000Z","image_url":"https://static.independent.co.uk/2026/07/11/13/11/GettyImages-2283591656.jpeg","category":"politics","topic":"politics","tags":[],"political_bias":null,"bias_score":null,"confidence_score":null,"credibility_score":null,"factual_quality":null,"reading_time":6,"word_count":1147,"view_count":0,"breaking":false,"breaking_news":false,"ai_analysis":null,"fact_check_status":"unverified","archive_status":"hot"}}