Times Journalists Subpoenaed as Trump Escalates Pressure on Media
NYT > U.S. > Politics — 2026-07-10 23:10:00 — www.nytimes.com
President Trump Escalates Attacks on Press, Targets New York Times Journalists with Subpoenas
President Trump has intensified his campaign against independent news organizations, with his administration issuing subpoenas to several New York Times journalists following the paper’s reporting on security concerns involving Trump’s new Qatari-donated Air Force One. The subpoenas, which demand that reporters testify before a federal grand jury in Manhattan, represent a significant escalation in Trump’s efforts to threaten and intimidate the press.
The subpoenas, delivered in some cases by federal agents at reporters’ homes, contain few specifics and only request testimony “in regard to an alleged violation of federal criminal law.” The move comes after The Times published articles detailing that Trump had departed Turkey on the old Air Force One as a security precaution and that the new Qatari-donated aircraft lacked advanced security features, including antimissile capabilities.
Trump’s administration has a well-documented history of attacking the media. In his second term, Trump has used the federal government’s powers more aggressively to target journalists, including attempts earlier this year by the Justice Department to compel testimony from reporters at The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post. Those subpoenas were later withdrawn after legal challenges.
The president has also taken legal action against The Times, suing the outlet last year for defamation and accusing it of seeking to undermine his 2024 candidacy. The Times, in turn, has filed lawsuits against the Trump administration, including actions against the Defense Department for restricting press access and a counterclaim against the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, alleging retaliation for its coverage of Trump’s presidency.
Trump’s posture toward the press has been consistently antagonistic, with the administration’s actions raising alarms among First Amendment advocates who warn that such measures can chill investigative reporting and undermine the public’s right to know how their government operates.
Conclusion
President Trump’s ongoing efforts to intimidate journalists and restrict press freedom mark a troubling chapter in the relationship between the White House and the media. His administration’s use of subpoenas and lawsuits against news organizations highlights a pattern of hostility toward independent reporting and transparency, raising serious concerns about the future of press freedom in the United States.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/11/business/media/new-york-times-trump-subpoenas.html