Critics raised concerns over press freedom after The Journal disclosed receiving subpoenas related to an article on deliberations on the risks of military action in Iran.
The Wall Street Journal said on Monday that it had received subpoenas for the records of its reporters, an exceedingly rare move by federal prosecutors that prompted concerns the Trump administration is impinging on press freedom as it expands its efforts to investigate leaks of government secrets.
The subpoenas, dated March 4, were issued in connection with a Feb. 23 article describing Pentagon officials’ warnings to the president about the risks of a military campaign against Iran, The Journal reported. The article appeared days before President Trump began his war against Iran.
The subpoenas suggest the Trump administration’s pursuit of leaks and critical reporting could be entering a more aggressive phase, guided by the president’s fury over news coverage about internal deliberations regarding military strikes. While leak investigations into disclosures of classified information are common, subpoenas aimed at journalists are not, and First Amendment advocates say such demands represent dangerous attempts to chill and limit press freedom.
Dow Jones, which publishes The Journal, said in a statement that the subpoenas issued to the paper and its reporters “represent an attack on constitutionally protected news gathering. We will vigorously oppose this effort to stifle and intimidate essential reporting.”
It was unclear if the paper had sought to quash the subpoenas.
Todd Blanche, the acting attorney general, said in a statement on Tuesday that prosecuting leakers was an administration priority.
“Any witness, whether a reporter or otherwise, who has information about these criminals should not be surprised if they receive a subpoena about the illegal leaking of classified material,” Mr. Blanche said.