New York Times reporters will not testify in Air Force One probe after Justice Department withdraws subpoenas

The U.S. Department of Justice has withdrawn subpoenas that had compelled New York Times reporters to testify before a grand jury regarding their reporting on the presidential aircraft, Air Force One. The decision was announced after a hearing in Manhattan.

David McCraw, the newspaper's attorney, described the withdrawal as "an important affirmation of our country's commitment to press freedom." The New York Times had reported nearly two weeks prior that several of its journalists had received subpoenas. These subpoenas were related to articles detailing alleged security concerns surrounding the new presidential plane.

According to the New York Times, citing anonymous insiders, President Trump had used the older Air Force One for a flight, rather than a new aircraft gifted by Qatar, due to concerns that the new plane lacked necessary missile defense systems and other protective features. The government and Trump himself had denied that security concerns were the reason for the aircraft change.

However, Trump recently announced plans for an upgrade to the aircraft, though details were not provided. Federal prosecutor Jay Clayton, nominated by Trump as a future U.S. intelligence coordinator, had sought to compel the reporters to reveal their anonymous sources through the grand jury subpoenas. McCraw had previously stated that the subpoenas were "issued in bad faith to punish the Times for its reporting."

The New York Times had filed a motion to quash the subpoenas, arguing they were issued in bad faith and constituted an attempt to punish the newspaper for its coverage. The Justice Department had initially defended its actions, citing significant national security concerns. The reports in question were published around the time a ceasefire in the U.S. and Israel's war against Iran had failed. The newspaper criticized the move as an intimidation tactic and a violation of constitutionally protected press freedom.