Justice Department subpoenas NYT freelancer over North Korea story

The U.S. Justice Department has subpoenaed the records of Matthew Cole, a freelance journalist contributing to The New York Times, as part of an investigation into the sourcing of a 2025 article. The story detailed a flawed U.S. military operation in North Korea.

Cole received the subpoena in February from Virginia prosecutors. They are seeking over two years' worth of his notes and testimony related to the article. The New York Times confirmed the subpoena and stated that Cole is publicly disclosing the government's request, which prosecutors had attempted to keep confidential.

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We support Matthew Cole’s decision to make public a subpoena that the government has attempted to keep secret.

A spokesperson for The New York Times, Charlie Stadtlander, expressed strong support for Cole's decision to reveal the subpoena. Stadtlander characterized the government's actions as "escalating attacks on journalists" and described the demand for sources as a "brazen and illegal attack" aimed at withholding vital public information.

The article co-authored by Cole, citing two dozen unnamed sources, reported on a 2019 Navy SEALs mission. During this operation, unarmed North Koreans were allegedly killed while attempting to plant a listening device near the country's coast. The New York Times is providing legal representation for Cole. The Justice Department has not yet responded to requests for comment.

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It is part of the government’s escalating attacks on journalists, which should concern all Americans. … The demand that he disclose his sources is another brazen and illegal attack from the administration designed to deny the public information of vital importance.