Journalists from The New York Times (NYT) have received subpoenas regarding an article concerning the Air Force One aircraft. The subpoenas require reporters Julian E. Barnes, Eric Lipton, Tyler Pageer, and Eric Schmitt to appear before a grand jury in Manhattan next Wednesday.
Investigation Details and Warning
According to the journalists, the Secret Service, which is responsible for presidential protection, advised Donald Trump not to use the new Air Force One during the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, this week. The reason cited was the aircraft's lack of necessary advanced security measures against potential missile attacks.
The new jet, which President Donald Trump received as a gift from Qatar, had only been put into service last week. The subpoenas require the journalists to testify regarding an 'alleged violation of federal criminal law' and were issued by Jay Clayton, the Manhattan federal prosecutor whom Trump recently appointed as Director of National Intelligence.
Pressure on Publication
The newspaper confirmed that high-ranking Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) officials pressured management prior to the article's publication, attempting to halt the report citing 'national security concerns.'
The paper's chief legal counsel, David McCraw, noted that the personal serving of the subpoena at the journalists' homes 'should trouble the conscience of any American who believes in the Constitution and in the freedom of the press that it protects.'
Aircraft Change and Geopolitical Context
The President flew on the new Air Force One during the NATO summit in Turkey this week, but on Wednesday, he departed on one of the older Air Force One models at Mildenhall, a Royal Air Force base in Suffolk, England. The newer aircraft also made a flight to Mildenhall, and Trump transferred to it for the return trip to Andrews Joint Base.
The abrupt change of aircraft occurred amid escalating tensions when the fragile truce with Iran collapsed, the US began airstrikes against Iran, and Tehran attacked three Arab states in the Persian Gulf. Iran and Turkey share a border, leading to speculation that the aircraft, a gift from Qatar and upgraded for $400 million (€350 million), might lack certain complex security systems.
Security Theories and Official Statements
The newspaper reported, citing anonymous sources, that the change was at the insistence of the Secret Service because the new aircraft did not possess some of the old plane's advanced safety features, including anti-missile capabilities. Trump dismissed any security concerns, posting on social media that the stop in Mildenhall allowed local military personnel to inspect the new aircraft.
During the flight, Trump assured his accompanying journalists that security concerns related to Iran were not the reason for using two aircraft on the return. Later, the White House denied any security issues with the new aircraft. Press Secretary Stephen Cheng stated in a release: 'The new Air Force One is an advanced aircraft equipped with the highest level of security protocols that guarantee the protection of the President and his team.'