The U.S. Department of Justice withdrew subpoenas. These subpoenas sought phone records and grand jury testimony from several New York Times journalists. The demands related to articles about a new Air Force One jet. Qatar gifted this jet to President Donald Trump. The articles detailed the jet's security features.
A federal judge sharply criticized the government's actions during a court hearing. The judge questioned the handling of the subpoenas. He also cited procedural errors. The judge indicated he would quash the subpoenas if the government did not retract them. The New York Times had legally challenged the subpoenas. The publication described them as an improper attempt to intimidate the press.