DOJ to Withdraw Subpoenas for New York Times Reporters Over Air Force One Story

The Justice Department announced Thursday it will withdraw subpoenas compelling grand jury testimony and phone records from New York Times reporters. The decision came during a contentious court hearing where U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian pressed federal prosecutors on their reasoning for issuing the subpoenas before exhausting other investigative avenues. The judge also questioned whether sanctions were warranted over alleged perjury in the application process for securing the subpoenas.

Earlier this month, The New York Times revealed that several of its journalists had received grand jury subpoenas on the same day the newspaper published a story detailing President Trump's use of an older presidential aircraft. The subpoenas, signed by former U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton, were reportedly part of a Justice Department effort to identify sources who spoke to the reporters about security systems on the new Air Force One plane, which was a donation from the Qatari government.

The New York Times had moved to block the subpoenas, labeling them "abusive and improper." The newspaper argued in court filings that prosecutors sought access to phone records of Times journalists and their family members. This development is a developing story and will be updated.