Justice Department Withdraws Subpoenas Targeting Washington Post and Wall Street Journal Reporters

The Justice Department issued and then withdrew subpoenas that sought to compel reporters at The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal to testify before a grand jury, according to people familiar with the matter. The subpoenas were part of a broader crackdown on media leaks by the Trump administration, which earlier included an FBI search of a Post reporter’s home. The Washington Post confirmed that a subpoena for reporter Ellen Nakashima was withdrawn, and a person familiar with the matter told CNN that a similar order to the Journal was also withdrawn a few weeks ago.

The subpoenas were challenged by the news organizations in a secret legal fight, leading to their withdrawal, at least for now. The Washington Post reported that the Justice Department withdrew the subpoenas earlier this month after they were challenged. Crucially, none of the journalists were compelled to testify about their anonymous sources. However, newsrooms remain on guard against the possibility that the subpoenas could be reissued in the future.

The legal battle stemmed from government leak hunts fueled by President Donald Trump’s anger over articles detailing the risks of military action in Iran. According to officials familiar with the matter, Trump personally pushed acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to issue the subpoenas, delivering a stack of printed articles with the word “Treason” written in Sharpie. Blanche responded to questions about the withdrawn subpoenas by saying, “Reporters are not our targets,” but added that the Justice Department will not stop investigating people who leak classified information.

Press freedom groups condemned the move. Mark Schoeff Jr., president of the National Press Club, called it “one of the most aggressive actions against a free and independent press in recent memory.” He added, “Reporters were one step away from being forced to participate in a criminal investigation because they were doing their jobs. That should alarm every American who values a free press.” Washington Post executive editor Matt Murray wrote in a staff memo that the subpoena was “a clear violation of constitutionally guaranteed press freedom” and expressed unwavering support for First Amendment rights.

The episode highlights ongoing tensions between the government and the press. In April, then-Attorney General Pam Bondi rescinded a policy from the Biden administration that had protected journalists from having their phone records secretly seized during leak investigations. The revised policy gives prosecutors authority to use subpoenas, court orders, and search warrants to hunt for unauthorized disclosures, though it also states that subpoenas must be “narrowly drawn” and that journalists are presumptively entitled to advance notice.