Trump's Allies Push Back Against Doj's Legal Tactics
WHO:
Alternet - President Donald Trump, New York Times, Judge Arun Subramanian, Chris Geidner, Susie Wiles, Kash Patel, Jas Easterly
Fast Company - President Donald Trump, New York Times, Jay Clayton, U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian
Alternet - BBC, President Donald Trump, U.S. District Judge Roy Altman, Alejandro Brito, Todd Blanche, U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
WHAT:
Alternet - The DOJ is considering joining Trump’s $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC, which he claims edited one of his speeches misleadingly.
Alternet - The BBC reported that Trump removed their commercial arm from the lawsuit, but the overall lawsuit will remain.
Alternet - The DOJ's filing in Trump's defamation lawsuit has been described as raising "grave ethical concerns" by the BBC.
Alternet - The DOJ has subpoenaed 14 major law firms for records about their communications tied to Trump’s executive orders.
Alternet - The subpoenas are part of an ongoing lawsuit from the American Bar Association, which alleges the administration has been trying to punish law firms for their past legal work and political relationships.
Alternet - The DOJ has promised a New York judge to conduct investigations to justify subpoenaing reporters and their families.
Alternet - The DOJ has targeted the New York Times as part of an investigation into leaks regarding Trump’s new Air Force One.
Fast Company - The DOJ sought phone records of New York Times journalists and their relatives, which the Times described as an aggressive attempt to unmask confidential sources.
Fast Company - The DOJ issued grand jury subpoenas to three journalists on July 10, compelling them to testify about their sources.
Alternet - Trump’s administration is involved in a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC.
WHERE:
Alternet - The investigation is taking place in New York.
Fast Company - The grand jury subpoenas were issued in Manhattan.
WHEN:
Alternet - The subpoenas for reporters demand records dating back to January 1, 2026.
Fast Company - The grand jury subpoenas were served on July 10, and additional subpoenas were issued on July 14 and July 16.
Alternet - A hearing on the matter is scheduled for Thursday.
WHY:
Alternet - The American Bar Association claims the administration's actions could lead law firms to stop taking certain clients or cases due to fear of retaliation.
Alternet - The DOJ claims the subpoenas are necessary to investigate leaks related to Trump’s Air Force One.
Fast Company - The New York Times argues that the DOJ is acting in "bad faith" and not following its own protocols.
HOW:
Alternet - The DOJ has agreed to delay the subpoenas for two weeks to conduct further investigative steps.
Fast Company - The DOJ justified the grand jury subpoenas by stating that reporters are not the targets, but those leaking classified information are.
(UPDATED July 21, 2026 18:23 UTC)
The Department of Justice is considering joining Trump’s $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC, which Trump claims edited one of his speeches in a misleading way. While the BBC reported that Trump has removed their commercial arm from the lawsuit, the overall case will still proceed, with the DOJ's involvement raising "grave ethical concerns." Additionally, the DOJ has subpoenaed 14 major law firms for records related to communications about Trump’s executive orders, as part of an ongoing lawsuit from the American Bar Association, which alleges that the administration is attempting to punish law firms for their past legal work and political ties.
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(UPDATED July 21, 2026 17:23 UTC)
The Department of Justice has issued grand jury subpoenas to three journalists, compelling them to testify about their sources in an investigation centered on leaks related to Trump’s new Air Force One, with records dating back to January 1, 2026. The New York Times has described this move as an aggressive attempt to unmask confidential sources, arguing that the DOJ is acting in "bad faith" and not adhering to its own protocols. A hearing on the matter is scheduled for Thursday, and the DOJ has agreed to delay the subpoenas for two weeks to conduct further investigative steps.