New Qatari Air Force One completes $400 million retrofit process
New $400 million Air Force One enters service amid security assessment disagreements.
Event / Politics
Trump Journalists Subpoena Press Freedom
Trump administration subpoenas four New York Times journalists for reporting on security concerns with new Air Force One, sparking press freedom controversy.
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2026-08-15 to 2026-11-12 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 12 Jul, 00:04 UTC
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What happened
Attorney General Bondi rescinded journalist protection policy in April 2025
In April 2025, Attorney General Pam Bondi rescinded a policy from the Biden administration that protected journalists from having their phone records secretly seized during leak investigations. This action restored prosecutors' authority to use subpoenas, court orders, and search warrants to investigate unauthorized government disclosures to journalists.
New Qatari Air Force One entered service after $400 million retrofit
A new Air Force One aircraft, a gift from Qatar, entered service following a $400 million retrofit and upgrade by the Trump administration. However, President Trump used an older model Air Force One to depart a NATO summit in Turkey instead of the newer aircraft.
DOJ subpoenas Times journalists regarding Air Force One security reporting
The Justice Department served subpoenas on New York Times journalists who reported on security concerns involving the new Qatari-gifted Air Force One aircraft. The journalists reported that the Secret Service urged President Trump to use an older Air Force One model due to the newer plane lacking advanced security features including antimissile capabilities.
Trump administration justifies subpoenas as targeting classified information leaks
The Justice Department stated that the subpoenas target those leaking classified information, not the reporters themselves. The department emphasized its role in ensuring that individuals entrusted with national secrets properly handle that information and do not share it without authorization.
FBI searched Washington Post reporter's home in January
FBI agents searched the home of Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson in January as part of a leak investigation into a Pentagon contractor accused of taking home classified information. Natanson has been covering Trump's transformation of the federal government.
New York Times files motion to quash DOJ subpoenas for journalist sources
The New York Times filed a motion in the Southern District of New York on Wednesday to quash subpoenas issued by the Justice Department demanding that three of its journalists testify before a federal grand jury in Manhattan and reveal their confidential sources. The subpoenas were delivered to reporters' homes on Friday.
New York Times lawyer condemns subpoenas as attack on press freedom
David McCraw, senior vice president and deputy general counsel for the New York Times, condemned the subpoenas in a statement, calling them a brazen attempt to prevent the public from knowing how their government operates. He stated that federal law enforcement agents appearing at reporters' homes should shock the conscience of Americans who believe in constitutional press freedoms.
Trump administration subpoenas New York Times journalists over Air Force One security reporting
The Trump administration issued subpoenas to four New York Times journalists—Julian E. Barnes, Eric Lipton, Tyler Pager, and Eric Schmitt—on Friday, July 10, 2026, following their reporting on security concerns with the new Qatari-donated Air Force One. The subpoenas seek to compel the journalists to testify before a federal grand jury in Manhattan on Wednesday. Federal agents delivered some subpoenas directly to reporters' homes.
Trump administration provides statement defending new Air Force One security measures
The Trump administration provided a statement asserting that the new Air Force One is a state-of-the-art aircraft fitted with high-level security protocols ensuring the safety of the President and staff. The administration characterized reports of security concerns as attempts at distraction and misdirection.
New York Times reports Secret Service urged Trump to use older Air Force One due to security concerns
The New York Times reported that the Secret Service urged President Trump to use the older Air Force One to depart the NATO summit in Turkey instead of the new $400 million Boeing 747-8 donated by Qatar. The recommendation was made as a security precaution. The article, citing anonymous sources, stated the new aircraft lacked advanced security features including antimissile capabilities.
Jay Clayton, Trump nominee for intelligence director, issued Air Force One subpoenas
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton of the Southern District of New York, who was recently nominated by Trump to be national intelligence director, issued the subpoenas to the New York Times journalists. This detail raised concerns about the politicization of the investigation given Clayton's pending confirmation for a position directly under Trump.
Trump denies security concerns with new Air Force One aircraft
President Trump denied any security concerns with the new Qatari-gifted Air Force One, stating on Truth Social that the aircraft swap at Mildenhall was conducted to allow service members stationed at the base to view the new aircraft. When asked if the swap was due to security concerns involving Iran, Trump stated he has threats all the time and is number one on Iran's list.
Department of Justice states journalists not targeted, sources are focus of investigation
The Department of Justice responded to criticism of the subpoenas by stating that journalists are not being targeted—the investigation focuses on those leaking classified information. The DOJ stated it will investigate breaches of national security and will not ignore the law when administration officials leak classified information impacting national security.
New York Times receives FBI request to withhold Air Force One security story
Before publishing its Air Force One story, the New York Times received a request from a senior FBI official asking the newsroom to withhold the article, citing national security concerns. The FBI official also requested identification of the article's sources. The Times refused both requests.
Trump uses older Air Force One to depart NATO summit in Turkey
President Trump used the older Air Force One to depart the NATO summit in Turkey, later traveling via the newer gifted aircraft to Mildenhall Royal Air Force Base in Suffolk, England before flying to Joint Base Andrews. The last-minute aircraft swap raised questions about security concerns given ongoing tensions with Iran.
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2 alternative perspectives
Times fights DOJ subpoenas seeking journalist sources on Air Force One
Times challenges DOJ subpoenas seeking sources for Air Force One security reporting.
Secret Service pushes older Air Force One over new aircraft over security concerns
Secret Service urged Trump to use older Air Force One over security concerns with the newer aircraft during Turkey visit.