The New York Times is set to argue in federal court that the Trump administration improperly used the justice system to identify sources for reporting about security issues surrounding a new Air Force One aircraft gifted by Qatar. The Times contends the government’s actions, including FBI visits to reporters’ homes and subpoenas for testimony, represent an effort to intimidate journalists from covering the president.
The disputed articles, published in July, detailed security concerns that led the Secret Service to recommend President Trump fly home from a NATO summit in Turkey on an older aircraft rather than the new Boeing 747. The Times reported that the plane, a gift from the Qatari government, required further security upgrades. The Times’ legal team argues in court filings that the government violated First Amendment protections and its own internal policies by pursuing reporter subpoenas as an initial action rather than a last resort.
The FBI delivered subpoenas to several reporters’ homes on July 10, just two days after the first article was published. The government also sought phone records from five reporters, their spouses, and one reporter’s mother without initially notifying the Times, according to court documents. The Times alleges that FBI Director Kash Patel personally oversaw issuance of the subpoenas while serving at the White House, suggesting political motivation.
The Justice Department and FBI have maintained they acted appropriately in pursuit of national security objectives and sought to identify the source of an alleged security breach rather than interfere with press operations. U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton stated in Senate testimony that the department followed proper policies and respects First Amendment protections. Clayton’s office acknowledged notifying the Times of phone record subpoenas only after they were issued with non-disclosure orders to carriers.
The legal dispute occurs amid broader tension between the Trump administration and major news organizations. Trump sued the Times last year for $15 billion over business coverage, while the Times has sued the Pentagon over press restrictions. A hearing before U.S. District Court Judge Arun Subramanian is scheduled to address the Times’ motion to quash the subpoenas.
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