Trump administration subpoenas NYT reporters over Air Force One report

Washington,UPDATED: Jul 11, 2026 14:16 IST

The Trump administration has issued subpoenas to several New York Times journalists after the newspaper reported this week on security concerns involving the new Air Force One, according to the paper. The subpoenas seek to compel the reporters to testify before a federal grand jury in Manhattan on Wednesday, and the paper said some were delivered by federal agents to the journalists at their homes.

The developments follow reports by the newspaper on President Donald Trump’s use of the new jet, which he received as a gift from Qatar and which entered service last week. The New York Times report could not be independently confirmed, and there was no immediate response from the White House or the Department of Justice.

The paper said the journalists who received subpoenas included Julian E. Barnes, Eric Lipton, Tyler Pager and Eric Schmitt. In a statement on Friday, the paper’s lawyer 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."

The issue comes after Trump flew the new Air Force One to a NATO summit in Turkey. However, he left on Wednesday aboard one of the older Air Force One jets for a trip to Mildenhall, a Royal Air Force base in Suffolk, England. Both aircraft flew to Mildenhall, and Trump later switched to the newer plane for the return flight to Joint Base Andrews.

The plane change came as a shaky ceasefire with Iran had collapsed, with the US launching airstrikes on Iran and Tehran attacking three Gulf Arab states. Iran and Turkey share a border, prompting speculation that the Qatari-gifted jet, which underwent a USD 400 million retrofit, did not have some of the more sophisticated security and countermeasure systems.

The newspaper reported on Wednesday that the switch was made at the urging of the Secret Service. On Thursday, it said the newer aircraft lacked some advanced security features of the older plane, including anti-missile capabilities. Both reports cited anonymous sources.

Trump denied there were any security concerns, saying on social media that the stop in Mildenhall was so service members there could see the new jet. During the flight, he also denied to reporters travelling with him that concerns involving Iran had led to two planes being used for the return journey. When asked if he was aware of any credible threats against Air Force One by Iran, Trump said, "I have a threat all the time. I'm No. 1 on their list."

The White House later denied there were any security shortcomings on the new plane. Spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement, "The new Air Force One is a state-of-the-art aircraft that has been fitted with high-level security protocols that ensure the safety of the President and his staff. As the President has said recently, there are many enemies of America who have their sights on him, and we use every tool at our disposal - including distraction and misdirection - to address those threats."

Earlier this year, the Justice Department issued subpoenas seeking testimony from reporters at The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal, but later withdrew them in both cases. The latest move against New York Times journalists comes after the paper’s reports on the new Air Force One, its security features and Trump’s change of aircraft during his recent travel.

With PTI Inputs

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