Several New York Times journalists have been subpoenaed to testify under oath after reporting alleged security concerns involving President Donald Trump's new Air Force One plane, the newspaper said.
Federal agents delivered subpoenas to some reporters' homes demanding they appear before a federal grand jury investigating a potential crime.
The Times had published stories alleging that the Qatari-gifted plane was not secure enough, and the Secret Service urged Trump to switch planes on his way home from a NATO summit in Turkey.
The Justice Department told the BBC it was investigating illegal leaks, adding: "Reporters are not the targets, those leaking classified information are."
David McCraw, the Times's top newsroom lawyer, called the summons a "brazen act" and "nothing more than an attempt to prevent the public from knowing what is happening in their country by intimidating journalists from doing their jobs."
The subpoenas require the reporters to appear before a grand jury in Manhattan on Wednesday. Grand juries are composed of members of the public and convened to examine evidence and decide if there is enough to charge a person with a crime.
The Times reported on security concerns citing unnamed sources. While speaking to media about classified information is a crime, the US Constitution protects press freedom to report information in the public interest.
The Justice Department said it values the press's role but must ensure that those entrusted with national secrets do not share them.
McCraw said: "Our journalists report the facts and advance the American public's right to know how their government is operating and their taxpayer dollars are being used."
Other outlets, including CBS News, published similar reports. A former US official told CBS there was not enough time or money to upgrade the plane.
Trump brushed off concerns, saying: "I have a threat all the time. I'm No. 1 on their list."
Last month, Trump unveiled the new Boeing 747-8 jet donated by Qatar. It is valued at an estimated $400 million.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk