Follow up now on a story we told you about last week…
The U.S. Justice Department has withdrawn its subpoenas of five New York Times reporters and their associates after an hour long hearing in federal court Thursday. The reporters were involved in the publication of a story about the security deficiencies of the new Air Force One plane given to this country by Qatar. The group of five includes former Hartford Courant reporter Eric Lipton who joined the Times in 1999(approximately twenty-seven years ago).
The order for the aggressive investigative tactic seems to have come directly from the White House where it is said President Trump was angry that the Times questioned the quality of the Air Force One retrofit.
The decision to issue the subpoenas could have a long tail for the administration. It was revealed in court Thursday that they were authorized by Todd Blanche, the current acting attorney general, who is awaiting Senate confirmation to the post and by Jay Clayton, the president’s choice to be the next director of national intelligence. Clayton is also awaiting Senate confirmation. Their direct involvement in the subpoenas against the Times could give senators additional reasons to vote against them.
