Trump Administration Intensifies Crackdown on Journalists Over Leaked National Security Information
Summary
Former President Donald Trump has escalated efforts to compel journalists and media organizations to disclose the sources of leaked national security information. These actions follow reports about a missing U.S. airman in Iran and other classified matters. The administration has issued subpoenas and publicly threatened legal consequences for reporters and outlets that publish leaked information. Press freedom advocates have criticized these measures as violations of the First Amendment.
Timeline of Events
- Friday: A U.S. airman was injured during an incident involving Iran. The service member hid in a mountain crevice before being rescued by a U.S. recovery team under fire.
- Sunday: Former President Donald Trump confirmed the recovery of the service member.
- Monday: During a White House press conference, Trump stated that his administration was actively investigating the individual who disclosed information about the missing airman to the media. Trump asserted that the news report alerted Iran to the situation, thereby endangering the airman.
"We think we'll be able to find it out because we're going to go to the media company that released it, and we're going to say, 'national security, give it up or go to jail.'" — Donald Trump
He did not identify the specific media outlet or reporter.
Administration Actions
Subpoenas and Pressure on the Justice Department
According to officials familiar with the matter, Trump personally urged the Justice Department to issue subpoenas to journalists covering the war in Iran. Trump delivered this message on a sticky note with the word "Treason" atop a stack of printed articles handed to acting Attorney General Todd Blanche during a White House meeting.
Following this, the Justice Department issued subpoenas, including to The Wall Street Journal, which first reported on the investigations. A source told CNN that the investigation aims to identify government employees who leaked information, not the reporters themselves.
Policy Changes
Former Attorney General Pam Bondi revised Justice Department policy, allowing investigators to seek reporters' phone records, notes, or testimony via court orders in certain cases. This reversed a ban that was in place during Trump's first term.
Related Investigations
- The Wall Street Journal received a grand jury subpoena for reporters' records tied to an article published five days before the war began. The article discussed warnings from Pentagon officials about risks of an extended military campaign against Iran.
- Other news outlets have also received subpoenas in recent months. Some have chosen not to comment.
Statements and Reactions
From the Administration
"We will investigate if it means sending a subpoena to the reporter. That's exactly what we should do, and that's exactly what we will be doing." — Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche
A Justice Department spokesperson did not provide a comment. The White House and DOJ did not respond to requests for comment.
From Media Organizations and Advocacy Groups
"The government's subpoenas... represent an attack on constitutionally protected newsgathering. We will vigorously oppose this effort to stifle and intimidate essential reporting." — Spokesperson for Dow Jones, publisher of The Wall Street Journal
"Journalists don't work for the government and their right to publish government leaks is protected by the first amendment which, despite Trump's efforts, remains the law of the land, and does not disappear whenever the words 'national security' are uttered. To the extent that the government is allowed to withhold information, it's up to the government to keep its secrets, not journalists." — Seth Stern, chief of advocacy at the Freedom of the Press Foundation
Background
Trump has complained about leaks of classified information since his first term. He expressed particular frustration when details of his private comments or briefings about the Iran war were made public.