WASHINGTON, July 12 (DC Times Online) — The Trump administration issued subpoenas to four New York Times journalists in a grand jury leak investigation tied to reporting on security concerns involving the president’s newly retrofitted Air Force One plane, while the Justice Department said the reporters are not the targets.
The New York Times identified the journalists as Eric Lipton, Julian E. Barnes, Tyler Pager and Eric Schmitt. The paper said the subpoenas were issued Friday and sought testimony before a grand jury in Manhattan federal court the following Wednesday.
The Times also reported that federal agents delivered some of the subpoenas directly to reporters’ homes.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, a Justice Department spokesperson said, “To be clear, reporters are not the targets. Those leaking classified information are.” The spokesperson said the department would continue investigating breaches of national security and officials who leak classified information affecting national security.
The reporting at issue centered on a newly retrofitted Boeing 747-8 given to President Donald Trump by Qatar, which the Times reported made its inaugural flight earlier this month.
