DOJ Drops Subpoenas for NY Times Reporters After Legal Missteps

WHO:

NPR - U.S. District Court Judge Arun Subramanian presided over the hearing regarding the subpoenas.

NPR - David McGraw is the lead newsroom lawyer for the New York Times.

Deadline - The Trump administration, New York Times journalists, Sean Buckley of the U.S. attorney's office in Manhattan.

WHAT:

The Guardian - The Justice Department's spokesperson stated that the investigation remains ongoing and they will pursue justice against those threatening national security by leaking classified information, a serious federal crime.

The Guardian - The Justice Department offered to hold the subpoenas "in abeyance" for 14 days as it pursued other investigative avenues.

The Guardian - Sean Buckley, the deputy U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, stated that the government is prepared to unilaterally withdraw the subpoenas at this time and would take necessary steps to follow procedure if they pursue subpoenas in the future.

NPR - The Justice Department's legal team stated that the subpoenas were issued in the interest of national security, but Judge Subramanian challenged this assertion during the court hearing.

The Guardian - Sean Buckley, the deputy U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, indicated that the government would take necessary steps to follow procedure if they pursue subpoenas in the future.

Alternet - The Justice Department admitted that the subpoenas violated the law and agreed to withdraw them to avoid further embarrassment.

Alternet - Trump was "embarrassed" about the ordeal involving the plane and stated he was allowing U.S. soldiers at international bases to look at the plane.

The Guardian - The FBI director, Kash Patel, orchestrated the issuing of the subpoenas on July 10, compelling testimony from Times reporters over a six-hour period at the White House.

The Guardian - The Justice Department issued grand jury subpoenas to several New York Times journalists after they reported that the $400 million plane lacked anti-missile and other security measures.

The Guardian - Sean Buckley, a top-ranking official in the Manhattan federal prosecutor’s office, announced the decision to withdraw the subpoenas about an hour into the court proceeding.

The Guardian - The subpoenas were issued less than 24 hours after the Times published the second of two articles concerning the Boeing airplane gifted to the president by Qatar.

The Guardian - The FBI director orchestrated the issuing of the subpoenas on July 10, compelling testimony from Times reporters over a six-hour period at the White House.

NPR - The Justice Department withdrew the subpoenas after a federal judge challenged the government's approach during a court hearing.

NPR - The subpoenas were filed on July 10, just two days after the New York Times published a story about security concerns regarding President Trump's flight from Turkey.

Fox News - The subpoenas were part of a leak probe concerning President Trump's use of the Qatar jet.

NBC News - The Justice Department agreed to withdraw grand jury subpoenas seeking testimony and records from New York Times reporters and their family members.

Drudge Report - The government withdrew subpoenas for three New York Times reporters after admitting legal errors.

CBS News Politics - The New York Times moved to block subpoenas issued by the Justice Department for grand jury testimony and phone records from its reporters.

Deadline - The subpoenas were related to a report on the lack of security features on the new Air Force One.

WHERE:

Deadline - The subpoenas were issued by the U.S. attorney's office in Manhattan.

WHY:

Deadline - The subpoenas were related to a report on the lack of security features on the new Air Force One, which was a gift from the government of Qatar accepted by Trump.

Drudge Report - The government admitted to legal errors regarding the subpoenas.

HOW:

The Guardian - Judge Subramanian emphasized that subpoenas for journalists should be a last resort, not a first step, and questioned the appropriateness of the DOJ's actions.

The Guardian - Buckley stated that the subpoenas were properly authorized by the attorney general, referencing Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche, but did not specify the grounds for approval.

The Guardian - Judge Subramanian emphasized that subpoenas for journalists should be a last resort, not a first step, and questioned the appropriateness of the DOJ's actions.

Truthout - The judge asked the administration's lawyers if they would issue similar subpoenas again in the future.

Alternet - The DOJ was scolded by a federal judge for not being candid with the tribunal regarding the issuance of subpoenas without informing the judge that reporters were involved.

Alternet - The judge indicated that the DOJ's actions could lead to losing Bar licenses for the attorneys involved due to their conduct in court.

The Guardian - Buckley stated that the government is prepared to unilaterally withdraw the subpoenas at this time and would take necessary steps to follow procedure if they pursue subpoenas in the future.

NPR - Judge Subramanian threatened to levy sanctions against federal attorneys for failing to follow the law and misleading the court.

NPR - The Justice Department's legal team yielded to the judge's insistence that the subpoenas be withdrawn to avoid being quashed.

CBS News Politics - The Justice Department's action to withdraw the subpoenas followed the New York Times' legal challenge.

(UPDATED July 24, 2026 20:20 UTC)

The Justice Department is actively investigating leaks of classified information, which poses a serious threat to national security, and they are prepared to pursue justice against those responsible. They have offered to hold subpoenas in abeyance for 14 days while exploring other investigative options, and Deputy U.S. Attorney Sean Buckley indicated that the government could withdraw these subpoenas if necessary. Judge Subramanian has raised concerns about the appropriateness of the DOJ's actions, emphasizing that subpoenas for journalists should be a last resort, while Buckley confirmed that the subpoenas were authorized by the attorney general without detailing the grounds for that approval.

(UPDATED July 24, 2026 19:26 UTC)

The Justice Department has agreed to withdraw subpoenas after admitting they violated the law, a move aimed at avoiding further embarrassment. During a court hearing, Judge Subramanian challenged the DOJ's claims that the subpoenas were necessary for national security, emphasizing that such actions should be a last resort when dealing with journalists. Additionally, Sean Buckley, the deputy U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, stated that the government would follow proper procedures if they decide to pursue subpoenas in the future.

(UPDATED July 24, 2026 18:23 UTC)

Trump expressed that he felt "embarrassed" about a recent incident involving a plane and mentioned he would allow U.S. soldiers at international bases to examine it. Meanwhile, the FBI director, Kash Patel, has been directing an ongoing investigation that includes subpoenas compelling testimony from Times reporters, while the Justice Department is committed to pursuing justice against those leaking classified information. A federal judge has criticized the DOJ for not being transparent about the subpoenas, warning that the attorneys involved could face serious consequences, including the potential loss of their Bar licenses.

(UPDATED July 24, 2026 10:40 UTC)

The Justice Department has issued grand jury subpoenas to several New York Times journalists following their reporting on a $400 million plane that reportedly lacked anti-missile and other security measures. However, Sean Buckley, a top official in the Manhattan federal prosecutor’s office, announced the decision to withdraw those subpoenas about an hour into the court proceedings. Buckley indicated that the government is ready to unilaterally withdraw the subpoenas for now but will take the necessary steps if they decide to pursue them again in the future.

(UPDATED July 24, 2026 07:48 UTC)

In a significant development, the Justice Department has withdrawn subpoenas related to a New York Times story about security concerns regarding President Trump's flight from Turkey, following a court hearing where U.S. District Court Judge Arun Subramanian expressed serious concerns about the government's approach. During the hearing, Judge Subramanian threatened to impose sanctions on federal attorneys for not adhering to legal standards and misleading the court, which ultimately led to the Justice Department's decision to yield and withdraw the subpoenas. David McGraw, the lead newsroom lawyer for the New York Times, was present as the situation unfolded, highlighting the ongoing tensions between the media and government entities.

(UPDATED July 24, 2026 02:50 UTC)

Fox News reports that subpoenas have been issued as part of a leak investigation related to President Trump's use of a jet from Qatar. This development comes amid ongoing scrutiny surrounding the circumstances of that flight. The investigation aims to uncover any potential breaches of protocol or confidentiality.

(UPDATED July 23, 2026 22:21 UTC)

The Justice Department has decided to withdraw grand jury subpoenas that were seeking testimony and records from New York Times reporters and their family members. These subpoenas were connected to a report highlighting security concerns regarding the new Air Force One, which was a gift from Qatar that Trump accepted. This development marks a significant shift in the ongoing legal proceedings surrounding the case.

(UPDATED July 23, 2026 21:20 UTC)

In a significant legal development, the Trump administration has withdrawn subpoenas for three New York Times reporters after acknowledging legal errors. The subpoenas were originally issued by the U.S. attorney's office in Manhattan and were related to a report on security features of the new Air Force One. This decision came after the New York Times moved to block the subpoenas, prompting the Justice Department to take action following the newspaper's legal challenge.