The New York Times filed a motion on Wednesday to quash the Trump administration's subpoenas of several reporters, saying the requests were part of an effort to punish the Times for its coverage and violated journalists' constitutional rights.

FBI agents served subpoenas to Times journalists Julian E. Barnes, Eric Lipton and Eric Schmitt in their homes on Friday, demanding they appear before a grand jury in the Southern District of New York and disclose confidential sources, said David McCraw, senior vice president and deputy general counsel at the Times.

The administration also attempted to serve subpoenas to Tyler Pager and Adam Goldman but didn't ultimately do so, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The subpoenas came two days after the Times reported that President Trump flew out of Turkey aboard an older Air Force One plane, rather than on the new luxury jet, as a security precaution. The Times also reported that the jet gifted by the Qataris lacked some of the advanced defensive capabilities included in the previous model.

The Times's motion to quash the subpoenas was filed under seal, pursuant to a court order, McCraw said. "The Times believes that the public has a right to information about this case and is also seeking to have the papers unsealed."

The Trump administration has taken an increasingly aggressive stance toward the media and has pushed hard to stop leaks from federal officials. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a video posted to social media Monday that the Defense Department and Justice Department had created a joint task force to identify and prosecute leakers. "To leak sensitive national defense information and secrets betrays the men and women who wear our nation's uniform," Hegseth said.

The Wall Street Journal and its reporters received grand jury subpoenas dated March 4 that sought information related to a February article about the Pentagon raising concerns to Trump about the risks of an extended military campaign against Iran. A Dow Jones spokesperson said the subpoenas were later withdrawn.

The Washington Post reported last month that one of its journalists was subpoenaed related to "sensitive reporting about a national security matter." The subpoena was later withdrawn, the Post reported.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday that he authorized the subpoenas for the Times journalists. "We're not targeting reporters," he said. "They're material witnesses, just like a reporter would be a material witness to a car crash."

The Justice Department didn't immediately respond to a request for comment on the Times's motion Wednesday evening.

Write to Alexandra Bruell at alexandra.bruell@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

July 15, 2026 21:52 ET (01:52 GMT)

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