Judge rebuffs Trump admin demand for phone records from NYT reporters
Summary
A federal judge criticized the Department of Justice for trying to get phone records and grand jury testimony from New York Times reporters. The government then withdrew the subpoenas after the judge said such actions against journalists should be a last resort.Key Facts
- The Justice Department sought phone and text records from New York Times reporters and some of their family members.
- The subpoenas also demanded reporters testify before a federal grand jury.
- US District Judge Arun Subramanian said subpoenas against reporters should be used only as a last option.
- The government agreed to cancel the subpoenas during a July 23, 2026, hearing.
- The New York Times called the government's actions an attempt to intimidate the press.
- The subpoenas were related to reporting on security issues involving Air Force One, donated to President Trump by Qatar.
- The DOJ admitted errors, including failing to mention that the case involved journalists when seeking to block a phone company from releasing records.
- Some subpoenas mistakenly included reporters’ relatives, which the DOJ said was an unintended error.
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