Federal agents delivered subpoenas to four New York Times journalists on Friday evening, ordering them to testify before a grand jury next week about their reporting on a plane gifted to President Trump by Qatar.
The subpoenas target reporters Julian E. Barnes, Eric Lipton, Tyler Pager and Eric Schmitt. They seek testimony on Wednesday in Manhattan regarding an alleged violation of federal criminal law.
The Times published stories last week citing anonymous sources. One reported that the Secret Service advised against using the Qatar-donated Boeing 747 as Air Force One at a NATO summit in Turkey due to security risks. Another noted the plane lacked advanced antimissile capabilities.
David McCraw, senior vice president and deputy general counsel for the Times, called the subpoenas a "brazen act" that intimidates journalists. The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press said the action breaks from longstanding Justice Department practice.
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton of the Southern District of New York issued the subpoenas. The White House and FBI declined to comment.
