On Thursday, July 23rd, 2026, the Justice Department of former US President Donald Trump announced it would withdraw subpoenas issued to reporters from The New York Times (NYT). These subpoenas sought to compel journalists to disclose confidential sources behind a report highlighting security concerns about the president flying on a Qatari-donated Air Force One.

The NYT's report detailed that the luxury aircraft lacked certain security countermeasures, including anti-missile defenses. The Trump administration contended that the coverage posed a "substantial national security concern."

Lawyers for the NYT challenged the subpoenas, which included requests for phone records and grand jury testimony, describing them as attempts at press intimidation and violations of First Amendment protections for newsgathering. Federal prosecutors agreed at a hearing before District Judge Arun Subramanian to "unilaterally withdraw the subpoenas at this time," according to the NYT.

The New York Times also reported that the Secret Service had urged a switch in Turkey amid security concerns linked to the collapse of a fragile ceasefire with neighboring Iran.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) welcomed the case's resolution, calling it a victory for "every journalist who relies on confidential sources to report in the public interest." The court reaffirmed that the government cannot use legal powers to intimidate reporters or undermine press independence.

Sources