The U.S. government on Thursday withdrew subpoenas that would have compelled three New York Times reporters to testify about their sources. The subpoenas, which sought phone records and grand jury testimony, were issued following reporting on security concerns regarding a Qatari-gifted Air Force One jet used by President Donald Trump.
A federal judge criticized the government for sloppy legal work and questioned whether the Department of Justice had taken the legally necessary steps before issuing the requests. Referencing rules designed to safeguard First Amendment rights, the judge declared that subpoenas are the last step, not the first step, in an investigation.
The New York Times had moved to block the subpoenas, characterizing them as an attempt to intimidate the free press. Government attorneys retreated in the face of vigorous legal opposition and a stern reprimand from the judge. This withdrawal represents the latest instance of government efforts to crack down on critical media facing setbacks in court.