The New York Times' legal adviser called the Trump administration's subpoenas of journalists who reported on President Trump's plane-switch in Ankara a 'blatant attempt' to prevent the public from knowing how their government operates, according to Asaf Rozentzweig (N12). The subpoenas were sent to journalists who reported that Trump was forced to change planes due to security concerns.
The New York Times' legal adviser condemned the Trump administration's subpoenas of journalists as a 'blatant attempt' to intimidate the press, releasing a statement that included a direct quote: 'The very appearance of federal law enforcement officers at the doorstep of journalists should shock the conscience of every American who believes in the Constitution and the freedom of the press it protects.' The statement, reported by Asaf Rozentzweig (N12), came hours after the subpoenas were served at the journalists' doorsteps early Saturday morning.
The Zioneer reported at 07:39 Jerusalem that the Trump administration had sent subpoenas for grand jury testimony to New York Times journalists who covered the president's plane-switch in Ankara. That report followed an initial account from ynet, also at 07:39 Jerusalem, which said the journalists had been summoned for a hearing without specifying the summoning authority. The evolution of the story: from an unidentified summons to a confirmed federal grand jury subpoena, with the newspaper's legal adviser now on the record calling the move an intimidation tactic.
As The Zioneer reported on Friday (Jul 10, 11:22 Jerusalem), the underlying security reporting involved the Secret Service forcing President Trump to switch from his new Qatari-donated Boeing 747-8 to the older Air Force One after his visit to Turkey, because the new aircraft lacked critical defense systems including electronic warfare and heat-seeking missile countermeasures. The White House has denied safety concerns, while security officials warned of risks given proximity to Turkey and Iran.
The names of the specific journalists subpoenaed have not been disclosed, and the Trump administration has not yet commented on the legal adviser's condemnation. The grand jury proceedings are ongoing.
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Source and signal
- Internal intake