The US Department of Justice has subpoenaed several journalists from The New York Times to Federal Court after publishing a story about the Air Force One aircraft that the Qatari government gifted to US President Donald Trump.
The New York Times reports.
According to the publication, on July 10, the journalists received subpoenas demanding that they appear before a Federal Grand Jury in Manhattan on July 15 and testify.
In several cases, federal agents personally delivered the subpoenas to the journalists' homes. The editor-in-chief, David McCraw, called such actions an attempt to intimidate the press.
"This brazen act should be viewed as nothing more than an attempt to prevent the public from learning what is happening in their country by intimidating journalists from doing their jobs," McCraw said.
What is known about the investigation
According to the NYT, the subpoenas provide little explanation for the reason for the summons. The documents only state that the journalists are to testify in a case of alleged violation of federal criminal law.
The subpoenas were signed by Manhattan federal prosecutor Jay Clayton, whom Donald Trump recently nominated as a candidate for the position of Director of National Intelligence.
US Department of Justice spokeswoman Emily Covington said that the investigation is not directed against the journalists.
According to her, law enforcement officers are interested in officials who could have passed classified information to media representatives.
"We appreciate and recognize the important role that the press plays in this country, but the Department of Justice must also ensure that those entrusted with state secrets handle that information appropriately," Covington said.
For which article did the journalists get subpoenaed?
On July 9, The New York Times published an article in which it reported that the Boeing 747-8 aircraft donated by Qatar, which is to serve as the new Air Force One, is not equipped with some of the modern protection systems.
According to the newspaper's sources, the aircraft, in particular, does not have the anti-missile system installed on the current presidential plane.
The publication also reported that even before the article was published, a senior official of the Federal Bureau of Investigation contacted the reporter and senior editor of the NYT. He asked to postpone publication, citing national security considerations, and also demanded to disclose the sources of the information.
The editorial office refused to name its sources and published the material.
Recall, in June, US President Donald Trump unveiled a modernized Boeing 747-8 aircraft, which is to become the new presidential aircraft Air Force One.
The Boeing 747-8 aircraft, which the administration of US President Donald Trump received from the royal family of Qatar, is estimated to be the most expensive gift ever given by a foreign country to the United States.
Who we are: About us, Contacts. How we write news and our principles: Editorial code. We did our best. If you found this valuable – please support us.
To request a correction, please send an email.