Trump's Administration Targets Journalists with Subpoenas Over Air Force One Security Scandal
The Trump administration issued subpoenas to several New York Times journalists, demanding their testimony regarding security concerns tied to the new Air Force One. This shocking move came after a report surfaced detailing potential vulnerabilities in the aircraft.
The new jet, a gift from Qatar, just entered service last week, raising eyebrows about its readiness and security features.
Federal agents delivered some subpoenas directly to the reporters' homes, forcing them to appear before a federal grand jury in Manhattan on Wednesday.
The New York Times report remains unverified, and there has been no immediate response from the White House or the Department of Justice.
David McCraw, the paper's lawyer, expressed outrage, stating, “The appearance of federal law enforcement agents on the doorstep of news reporters should shock the conscience of any American who believes in the Constitution and the press freedom it protects.”
This incident follows President Trump's flight on the new Air Force One to a NATO summit in Turkey. However, he opted for an older model for a subsequent trip to Mildenhall, a Royal Air Force base in Suffolk, England. Both jets flew to Mildenhall before Trump switched to the newer aircraft for his return to Joint Base Andrews.
The sudden aircraft change coincided with a deteriorating cease-fire with Iran, which had collapsed amid U.S. airstrikes and Iranian attacks on Gulf Arab states. Speculation arose that the Qatari-gifted jet, which underwent a $400 million retrofit, might lack critical security and countermeasure systems.
The Times reported that the Secret Service urged the plane switch. Subsequent articles indicated that the newer aircraft lacked advanced security features found in older models, including antimissile capabilities. Both reports relied on anonymous sources.
Trump dismissed any security concerns during the flight, claiming the stop in Mildenhall was merely for service members to view the new jet. When questioned about credible threats from Iran against Air Force One, he brushed off the inquiry.
“I have a threat all the time. I’m No. 1 on their list,” he stated.
The White House later refuted claims of security deficiencies in the new plane. Spokesman Steven Cheung asserted that “the new Air Force One is a state-of-the-art aircraft that has been fitted with high-level security protocols that ensure the safety of the President and his staff.”
Cheung added that “as the President has said recently, there are many enemies of America who have their sights on him, and we use every tool at our disposal — including distraction and misdirection — to address those threats.”
The journalists receiving subpoenas included Julian E. Barnes, Eric Lipton, Tyler Pager, and Eric Schmitt.
Earlier this year, the Justice Department also issued subpoenas to reporters at The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal but later withdrew them.
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Subpoenas were issued to New York Times journalists regarding Air Force One reporting.
