Trump Pressures DOJ to Subpoena Reporters Over Iran War Leaks

President Donald Trump pressured the Department of Justice to identify government sources who leaked classified information about the U.S. war in Iran. Trump personally accelerated the investigation by providing acting Attorney General Todd Blanche with a stack of news articles labeled treason, urging the government to target media companies that released the information.

In response, the Justice Department issued grand jury subpoenas on March 4 to The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Axios, and the New York Times. The subpoenas targeted journalists who reported on Pentagon warnings and rescue operations, specifically citing a February 23 story about risks identified by Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine. This crackdown followed a policy change by former Attorney General Pam Bondi, who rescinded Biden-era protections for reporters.

Media organizations characterized the move as an attack on constitutionally protected newsgathering. The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal challenged the subpoenas in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. In June 2026, the Justice Department withdrew the subpoenas for four journalists, including The Washington Post's Ellen Nakashima, before any testimony occurred. Todd Blanche defended the administration's authority to investigate breaches of national security, asserting that while reporters were not the targets, prosecuting leakers within the administration remains a priority.