The DOJ issued subpoenas earlier this month targeting reporters investigating leaks regarding potential military campaigns in Iran and operations in Venezuela. Both news organizations successfully challenged the orders in sealed filings, forcing the department to withdraw them. Despite the retreat, both publications remain on guard, fearing the administration may attempt to reissue the demands.
Reports suggest the pressure originated from the White House, with claims that Donald Trump personally urged acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to pursue the journalists. According to accounts, Trump allegedly provided Blanche with a stack of articles marked with the word "Treason" in permanent marker. Reporters Without Borders condemned the action as a "new low," comparing the strategy to a dictator's playbook. Legal experts emphasize that forcing journalists before a grand jury poses a unique threat to First Amendment protections, as it risks exposing confidential sources and unrelated newsgathering processes.
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