Justice Department Retracts Subpoenas Aimed at Major Newspapers
WHO:
Fox News - The Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, reporter Ellen Nakashima, President Trump, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, Matt Murray (executive editor of The Washington Post)
WHAT:
CNN - The Justice Department withdrew the subpoenas for reporters from The Washington Post and Wall Street Journal "at least for the time being."
CNN - The Wall Street Journal stated it was “vigorously” opposing “this effort to stifle and intimidate essential reporting.”
Fox News - The Washington Post reported that the Justice Department withdrew the subpoena for reporter Ellen Nakashima after the paper challenged it in court.
NBC News - The Trump administration attempted to compel testimony from four journalists before a federal grand jury in recent weeks but backed off after the news organizations pushed back behind the scenes.
Fox News - The Justice Department withdrew grand jury subpoenas aimed at reporters from The Washington Post and Wall Street Journal after the newspapers challenged them in court.
CNN - The subpoenas were related to national security leak probes, and none of the journalists were compelled to testify about their anonymous sources.
CNN - The subpoenas were withdrawn earlier in the month after being challenged by the news organizations.
WHERE:
CNN - The legal battle involved major newsrooms, specifically The Washington Post and Wall Street Journal.
WHY:
CNN - The legal battle stemmed from the government's leak hunts fueled by Trump's anger over stories about military action in Iran, which he believed were crucial and carefully sourced.
CNN - The subpoenas were part of the government's efforts to investigate leaks that President Trump was reportedly angry about, particularly concerning stories about military action in Iran.
CNN - Trump personally pushed for the subpoenas, expressing his frustration over articles detailing his decision-making process regarding the war.
HOW:
Alternet - Trump personally pressed acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to issue the subpoenas, delivering the message with the word “Treason” written in Sharpie on a stack of printed articles.
CNN - Officials familiar with the matter indicated that the Justice Department’s National Security Division was already preparing to look at some of the stories’ sources prior to Trump's intervention.
CNN - Trump delivered a message to acting Attorney General Todd Blanche with the word “Treason” written in Sharpie on a stack of printed articles, which accelerated the Justice Department's efforts to issue the subpoenas.
(UPDATED June 23, 2026 23:22 UTC)
The Justice Department has withdrawn subpoenas for reporters from The Washington Post and Wall Street Journal, at least for the time being. The Wall Street Journal has stated it is vigorously opposing any efforts to stifle and intimidate essential reporting, while The Washington Post reported that the subpoena for reporter Ellen Nakashima was rescinded after the paper challenged it in court. This development comes after Trump personally pressed acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to issue the subpoenas, delivering the message with the word “Treason” written in Sharpie on a stack of printed articles.
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(UPDATED June 23, 2026 21:31 UTC)
The Trump administration recently attempted to compel testimony from four journalists before a federal grand jury but ultimately backed off after news organizations pushed back. This legal battle arose from the government's efforts to investigate leaks related to military action in Iran, which Trump felt were critical and well-sourced. Officials familiar with the situation revealed that the Justice Department’s National Security Division was already preparing to examine some of the stories’ sources before Trump's involvement.
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(UPDATED June 23, 2026 19:43 UTC)
The Justice Department has withdrawn grand jury subpoenas that were aimed at reporters from The Washington Post and Wall Street Journal after the newspapers challenged them in court. These subpoenas were part of the government's investigation into national security leaks that reportedly frustrated President Trump, particularly regarding military actions in Iran. Trump had personally urged for the subpoenas, even delivering a message to acting Attorney General Todd Blanche with the word “Treason” written in Sharpie on a stack of articles, which prompted the Justice Department's actions.