Trump defends New York Times subpoenas as judge seeks internal DOJ communications

Published July 25, 2026 12:16pm ET | Updated July 25, 2026 12:16pm ET



President Donald Trump and the Justice Department struck a defiant tone Friday after prosecutors withdrew subpoenas targeting New York Times reporters in a criminal leak investigation involving Trump’s Qatari-donated Air Force One plane.

“We’re not after journalists,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. “We’re after leakers. We’re after people that are cowards, people that are unpatriotic, people that are treasonous in many cases.”

Already a print subscriber? Click here to login/register your account

Trusted reporting.Unlimited access.

Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis, and subscriber-only journalism.

Get Unlimited Access

Already a member? Log in

Cancel anytime.