WASHINGTON: New York Times subpoenas were issued to several journalists after the paper reported on alleged security concerns involving President Donald Trump’s new Air Force One, the newspaper said.
The subpoenas seek testimony before a federal grand jury in Manhattan on Wednesday, according to CBS News and the Associated Press.
Federal agents delivered some subpoenas to reporters’ homes, the paper said. The New York Times linked the action to its reporting on Trump’s new Boeing 747-8. Qatar gifted the aircraft, which recently entered service as a presidential plane.
The paper reported that the aircraft lacked some advanced security features found on older Air Force One jets, according to AP.
CBS News also reported that the Secret Service advised Trump to use the older presidential aircraft when leaving Turkiye after a NATO summit.
CBS said the recommendation came as a precaution during heightened US-Iran tensions. It did not stem from a specific credible threat.
Trump denied that security concerns drove the plane switch. He said the stop at Royal Air Force Mildenhall in England allowed US service members to view the new jet.
White House spokesman Steven Cheung also denied security shortcomings. He said the new plane had “high-level security protocols” to protect the president and staff, CBS News reported.
Read: Trump’s New Plane Switch Raises Air Force One Questions
New York Times lawyer David McCraw criticised the subpoenas. He said federal agents appearing at reporters’ doors should “shock the conscience” of Americans who believe in the Constitution and press freedom.
The White House and the Department of Justice had no immediate response to the Times report.
