The administration of US President Donald Trump has issued subpoenas to at least four journalists from The New York Times, escalating what advocates describe as an attack on press freedom. Some subpoenas were delivered to reporters' homes by federal agents.

The journalists are required to testify before a grand jury in Manhattan on Wednesday. The subpoenas were authorized by Jay Clayton, the US attorney for the Southern District of New York, who is nominated to become director of national intelligence.

David McCraw, the newspaper's lawyer, stated: “The appearance of federal law enforcement agents on the doorstep of news reporters should shock the conscience of any American who believes in the Constitution and the press freedom it protects.”

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) demanded the subpoenas be withdrawn. CPJ CEO Jodie Ginsberg called them “an extraordinary escalation in President Trump’s efforts to threaten and intimidate independent news organizations.”

The subpoenas stem from the Times' coverage of Trump's return flight from the 2026 NATO summit in Ankara. The newspaper reported, citing anonymous sources, that Trump used the old Air Force One due to security concerns about the new jet, which lacked necessary upgrades.

This is the latest clash between the Trump regime and media outlets. Trump previously sued the Times for $15 billion over defamation, but the suit was dismissed. He also sued the BBC and The Wall Street Journal.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer condemned the subpoenas, writing: “Donald Trump is one of the weakest, most thin-skinned individuals the world has ever seen. This subpoena is a gross overreach and a disgusting misuse of federal law enforcement resources.”

The Trump regime denies seeking to erode press freedom, citing national security. However, McCraw argued the administration is trying to restrict “the American public’s right to know how their government is operating.”

Source: www.aljazeera.com