New York Times reporters who wrote about Air Force One hit with subpoenas * WorldNetDaily * by Bob Unruh
President Donald J. Trump tours the new Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on Friday, June 19, 2026. (Official White House photo by Daniel Torok)
There’s a new issue for New York Times reporters who wrote just days ago when President Donald Trump was returning from overseas and decided for part of his trip to use an older jet that has served as Air Force One for years instead of the recently Qatari-gifted jet that just was put into service.
It seems the Department of Justice now wants to question them, most likely about their claims the newer jet lacked security measures needed for the president’s safety and security.
A report at the Hill said four New York Times writers here told to testify before a grand jury.
The Hill said, “The Times reported that the refurbished jet lacked some of the advanced security measures of the older aircraft used to transport the president. The reporters include Julian E. Barnes, Eric Lipton, Tyler Pager and Eric Schmitt. They also wrote earlier this week that a security precaution forced Trump to depart to the NATO summit in Turkey on the old Air Force One, were called to testify next week before a federal grand jury in Manhattan ‘in regard to an alleged violation of federal criminal law.’ The switch-up also raised red flags around potential threats against the president from Iran after the U.S. launched fresh strikes on the Islamic Republic earlier this week.”
Before publication of its reporting, the FBI had asked, on the basis of national security, that it not be published.
The publication called the investigation into allegations of law violations an act of intimidation and attack on the free press.
Lawyer David McCraw, for the newspaper, called it a “shock” to the conscience of any American “who believes in the Constitution.”
Trump administration subpoena NY Times reporters to testify after Air Force One security story https://t.co/MBxHHSDUC1 pic.twitter.com/xbvl3HSBop
— New York Post (@nypost) July 11, 2026
Federal agents have served subpoenas to several New York Times journalists as part of an investigation into the alleged disclosure of sensitive information about the new Air Force One.
Watch OAN on OAN Live for updates. pic.twitter.com/UhfW1ta9rL
— One America News (@OANN) July 11, 2026
He said, “This brazen act should be seen as nothing more than an attempt to prevent the public from knowing what is happening in their country by intimidating journalists from doing their jobs.”
Freedom of the Press Foundation spokesman Seth Stern inserted his own beliefs into the dispute, stating, “We’ve long said that when the government claims it needs to investigate journalists to protect national security, it really means its own reputational security.”
The Times said “people briefed on the plans” said Trump flew out of Turkey “on the old Air Force One … as a security precaution.”
They wrote, “The swap deepens questions about whether the new plane, which the president had pressed to be ready as soon as possible, was retrofitted with sufficient security measures over the last year. Lawmakers and some officials have raised concerns about whether the expedited timeline allowed for the addition of an advanced missile defense system and other modifications used to protect the president.”
The White House said the new jet “has been fitted” with security protocols, but the president still has the option to use “every tool at our disposal, including distraction and misdirection.”
The Times further quoted anonymous individuals to say the new jet doesn’t have the security of the older plane.
The White House also said the older jet was used for a part of the trip because the new one was making stops at military bases to display it to troops.
Bob Unruh