Trump’s New York Times investigation isn’t just about finding leakers. It’s about punishing reporters | James Risen
Summary
The Trump administration has subpoenaed New York Times reporters in a leak investigation related to a story about problems with a plane gifted to President Trump by Qatar. This legal action includes seeking phone records of reporters and their family members and appears focused more on punishing journalists than on finding the source of the leak.Key Facts
- In 2015, media experts thought technological advances would reduce government subpoenas of reporters in leak investigations.
- The Trump administration subpoenaed New York Times reporters over a story about security issues with a Qatar-provided plane.
- The administration is also seeking the phone records of reporters and their family members for several months.
- The story reported on President Trump choosing not to use the gifted plane due to security problems.
- Trump’s administration claims the story revealed sensitive national security information.
- The case reflects a broader trend of leak investigations increasingly targeting reporters to intimidate the press.
- Leak investigations causing reporters to be subpoenaed became more common after 9/11, with the 2003 Plame case marking a turning point.
- The article suggests this subpoena effort is an example of potential government abuse of power to punish news organizations.
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