New Air Force One Leak Sparks Federal Grand Jury Fight as New York Times Journalists Are Ordered to Testify
A controversy surrounding President Donald Trump’s new Qatar-gifted Boeing 747-8 has taken a dramatic turn, with several New York Times journalists reportedly summoned to testify under oath before a federal grand jury in Manhattan.
The journalists had reported on alleged security concerns involving the newly introduced presidential aircraft, which was gifted by Qatar and reportedly retrofitted and upgraded at a cost of around $400 million.
The Boeing 747-8 entered presidential service last week and carried Trump to Ankara for a NATO summit in Turkey. But what happened next immediately raised questions.
Instead of using the new aircraft for his departure, Trump reportedly left Turkey on Wednesday aboard an older Air Force One, heading to RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, England.
The aircraft swap came amid heightened tensions involving Iran, US airstrikes and attacks across Gulf states. With Iran and Turkey sharing a border, speculation quickly emerged over whether the new presidential jet was fully equipped with the sophisticated defensive systems associated with the existing Air Force One fleet.
The New York Times, citing anonymous sources, reported that the Secret Service had urged the switch and that the newer Boeing 747-8 allegedly lacked some advanced features available on the older presidential aircraft, including certain anti-missile capabilities.
Trump strongly denied that security concerns were behind the decision.
Asked about possible Iranian threats against Air Force One, Trump responded: “I have a threat all the time. I’m No. 1 on their list.”
He also said the Mildenhall stop was intended to allow US service members there to see the new jet and denied that concerns involving Iran influenced the decision to use two aircraft for the return journey.
Now, the focus has shifted from the aircraft to the source of the information.
According to the Times, the US Department of Justice has issued subpoenas ordering several of its journalists to appear before a federal grand jury next week. Federal agents reportedly delivered some of the subpoenas directly to reporters’ homes.
The move reportedly followed a White House meeting involving FBI Director Kash Patel and other Justice Department officials.
Before the Times published its initial report, a senior FBI official reportedly contacted a reporter and editor and asked the newspaper to hold the story, citing national security concerns. The official also allegedly asked the newspaper to disclose its sources — a request the Times refused.
“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,” Times lawyer David McCraw said.
The Justice Department, however, insists the journalists themselves are not the targets.
“To be clear, reporters are not the targets, those leaking classified information are,” the department said.
The DOJ argues that while the press plays an important role, officials entrusted with national secrets cannot be allowed to disclose classified information that could impact national security.
The case has now opened a much bigger debate: Where does the investigation of a classified information leak end — and the protection of press freedom begin?
And behind it all remains the question that started the controversy: Why was the brand-new Boeing 747-8 swapped for an older Air Force One during a period of heightened threats?
The reporters may soon be asked that question under oath.
