The president and the Justice Department have subpoenaed journalists at various news outlets on at least three occasions in recent months, turning to an approach that was generally considered a last resort used only after federal officials exhausted other avenues to investigate unauthorized national security disclosures. Senior government officials have also sued for defamation, while the Trump administration has limited certain reporters’ access to the Oval Office, Air Force One and the Pentagon, and called some coverage about the war in Iran treasonous.
First Amendment lawyers and newsrooms say the actions amount to an attempt to chill journalists and their sources. While previous administrations have sought to subpoena reporters for their sources, no other sitting president has sued a news organization for defamation.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here