Several New York Times journalists have been subpoenaed to testify under oath after reporting on alleged security concerns surrounding President Donald Trump's new Air Force One aircraft.

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According to the newspaper, federal agents delivered subpoenas to some reporters at their homes, ordering them to appear before a federal grand jury investigating a possible federal crime.

Journalists Ordered to Testify

The Justice Department confirmed it is investigating alleged illegal leaks of classified information but said the journalists themselves are not the focus of the inquiry.

"Reporters are not the targets, those leaking classified information are," the department told the BBC.

Reports Raised Security Questions

The New York Times recently published reports citing unnamed sources who claimed the Boeing 747-8, donated by Qatar, lacked key security capabilities required for presidential travel.

One report said the Secret Service advised Trump to switch to an older Air Force One aircraft for his return journey after attending a Nato summit in Turkey. Another said officials were concerned the newer plane did not yet include advanced defensive systems, including anti-missile protection.

Other media outlets, including CBS News, also reported similar concerns. A former US government official told CBS there had not been enough time or funding to equip the aircraft with all the security features needed for Air Force One service.

Press Freedom Concerns

The subpoenas reportedly require the journalists to appear before a grand jury in Manhattan to provide testimony regarding an alleged violation of federal criminal law.

David McCraw, the New York Times' senior newsroom lawyer, condemned the move, describing it as a "brazen act" aimed at intimidating journalists and discouraging reporting on matters of public interest.

The newspaper noted that while leaking classified information can be a criminal offence, the US Constitution protects the press's right to publish information in the public interest.

The Justice Department said it recognises the importance of a free press but also has a responsibility to investigate the unauthorised disclosure of classified information.

Trump Dismisses Concerns

The reports emerged during a period of heightened tensions with Iran, as the United States carried out military strikes while diplomatic efforts over a ceasefire continued.

Asked about the reported security concerns, Trump dismissed them, saying: "I have a threat all the time. I'm No. 1 on their list."

Last month, Trump unveiled the Boeing 747-8 that Qatar donated to the United States as an "unconditional" gift. The aircraft, valued at about $400 million (£300 million), was modified for presidential transport.

The US Air Force said the jet received upgrades covering security, communications, logistics support and advanced technology, adding that any identified risks associated with using a previously owned aircraft had been addressed.

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12 July 2026

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Hopefully they don't cave like the Washington Post would and reveal their sources. The only way to keep an out of control government in check is to expose their fallibilities.

So the Administration have chosen to confirm the reports.

Telling the truth is now a crime in the USA.

Not intimidation to deliver those subpoena to reporter's homes?

Edited July 12Jul 12 by unblocktheplanet
typo

It's all about installing fear in anyone that dares to be critical of the present administration.

Don't like the news? Shoot the messenger.

Subpoened for telling the truth. When will Trump be subpoened for telling lie after lie after lie. Of course the gift jet doesn't have the safety features required. How could it in such a short time period? The reporters told the truth. Boeing has been working for years and has spent billions on the new AF1 jets that are required to have all these complex features.

The gift jet was rushed into service with not much more than communication upgrades and a paint job so Trump could have a new toy to play with. A huge waste of taxpayer money for something not wanted or needed, except by Trump, and which cannot fly the President as safely as the real AF1s. That's the truth--which Trump hates reading about. Hence, the punishment of the reporters. The Press needs to stand up to Trump much more than it has been doing--and it can start by, as a group, loudly publicizing intimidation tactics like this by Trump.

Transparency just upsets folks best to “protect” them … same thinking protecting those guilty named in the Epstein files.

That all reads to me like the deep state had a fail and are now scrambling to try and cover their @$$

On 7/12/2026 at 5:18 AM, gargamon said:

Hopefully they don't cave like the Washington Post would and reveal their sources. The only way to keep an out of control government in check is to expose their fallibilities.

If I was one of them, I'd be squealing like a stuck pig aka a singing Canary.... given the choice would be give them up or go to Guantánamo.

9 minutes ago, wombat said:

If I was one of them, I'd be squealing like a stuck pig aka a singing Canary.... given the choice would be give them up or go to Guantánamo.

Thankfully you're not one of them.

First the administration called it fake news. Seriously.

Then they subpoena the reporters to appear before a grand jury.

So which is it?

If this ever reaches the trial stage, discovery is going to be extremely entertaining.

On 7/12/2026 at 4:09 AM, webfact said:

federal agents delivered subpoenas to some reporters at their homes, ordering them to appear before a federal grand jury

Note that a Grand Jury does not prosecute.

A Grand jury is not a trial jury. It legally functions as an arm of the U.S. District Court that impaneled it.

Grand juries function as an independent investigative body. They do not just passively listen to prosecutors and blindly accept prosecutor "evidence."; they can actively request physical evidence. Evidence has been for the Trump regime and DOJ a consistent failure to produce that isn't more a political enemies agenda and lies.

1 hour ago, wombat said:

That all reads to me like the deep state

Have you noticed that Trump is never at fault or wrong about anything? It's always someone else's fault with these delicate little snowflakes BOO HOO HOO they're attacking our big strong Fat Daddy Savior 🤣

If there's one thing the Trump Administration hates more than anything else it's the revelation of truth and facts. Keep the facts suppressed at all costs, and do everything possible to avoid any level of transparency, as promised during the campaign.

Woe is America.

And for the rest of the story soon they’ll be another Trump building in Qatar i’m sure family members are already planning to do business in that country they’ll be making millions I like that the other day his daughter Tiffany and her husband was at a meeting I didn’t know who they were part of the state department employees Trump is making money off his presidency hand and fist anything that is possible he will make money on he doesn’t care about America’s interest he only cares about how many billions he can suck out of his presidency it’s disgusting the biggest con to ever be president and he does it upfront it makes Biden’s kid look like a nothing type of deal it’s unbelievable and nobody says anything about it TIA

22 hours ago, gargamon said:

Thankfully you're not one of them.

22 hours ago, gargamon said:

Thankfully you're not one of them.

I bet you still believe in the Queensbury rules....
there is a quaint custom here in land of smiles that goes along the lines of unless the box is ticked from the police that the judge reads that says...... gave useful information. .....The sentence is automatically doubled and I bet that you would try and tell me that given that situation that you would keep your mouth shut?

Somehow I tend to think not.

20 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Woe is America.

Like the old saying goes, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink

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