Fox News Chief National Security Correspondent Jennifer Griffin is calling out President Donald Trump’s administration for issuing subpoenas to four New York Times reporters for daring to do the news, according to Mediaite
After the Times embarrassed Trump with an article revealing that security flaws kept Trump from flying his new $400 million luxury plane (gifted from Qatari leaders) his politicized Department of Justice subpoenaed four journalists including reporters Julian E. Barnes, Eric Lipton, Tyler Pager and Eric Schmitt on Friday.
The Times blasted the subpoenas as an intimidation move, noting that in some instances the legal documents were administered by federal agents who showed up at the reporters’ homes.
“The appearance of federal law enforcement agents on the doorstep of news reporters should shock the conscience of any American who believes in the Constitution and the press freedom it protects,” the Times wrote. “… our journalists report the facts and advance the American public’s right to know how their government is operating and their taxpayer dollars are being used. This brazen act should be seen as nothing more than an attempt to prevent the public from knowing what is happening in their country by intimidating journalists from doing their jobs.”
But Griffen had her own criticism of the DOJ’s behavior.
“This action by the US government to subpoena reporters for reporting legitimate news on security concerns about Air Force 1 should alarm every American,” Griffen wrote on X.
Other critics joined in under her post, with one demanding: “Why can’t the federal government, regardless who is president, not allow the press to exercise its First Amendment rights?”
Another posted on X that it was “good to see” an honest reaction from a Fox News reporter.
“Welcome to our new police state,” quipped another X user.
“It’s time Republicans grow a pair and stop this nonsense!” howled a fourth. “We have a Constitution to follow, not allow Trump to destroy it!”
Similarly, a statement from the Washington DC-based National Press Club said federal prosecutors’ subpoena of journalists should alarm every American “because it threatens the public’s constitutional right to an independent press.”
The White House remains extremely sensitive about the endangered status of the Qatari gift. White House communications director Steven Cheung also singled out MS NOW reporter Carol Leonnig’s social media post about the plane on X last week.
“Carol Leonnig is a liar and this article is complete Fake News. She has no idea what she is talking about,” posted Cheung on X. “She says the White House declined to comment. Not true. We gave comment to The New York Times and many other outlets. Carol is not a real journalist. A complete fraud.”