The New York Times has filed a court motion to quash federal grand jury subpoenas served to three of its journalists. The subpoenas were issued by the Justice Department following reporting on security concerns regarding President Donald Trump's new Air Force One jet, which was donated by Qatar.
The Justice Department is seeking to compel grand jury testimony as part of an investigation into the reporting. In response, the newspaper has refused to allow its reporters to testify, setting the stage for a significant court fight over press freedom and the government's ability to force journalists to identify their sources.
David McCraw, the newspaper’s senior vice-president and deputy general counsel, stated that the subpoenas were brought in bad faith to punish The Times for its coverage. He asserted that they violate the constitutional rights of the paper and its journalists, adding that they are going to court to defend the right to report freely on the administration and provide the public with stories that matter.
The crackdown on reports of security concerns on the Qatari-gifted jet has been viewed as a threat to press freedom. In addition to the motion to block the subpoenas, the newspaper has asked the court to make its filing public.