Skip to content

DOJ issued then withdrew subpoenas for Post and WSJ reporters

newsJun 23, 2026345,867

The Justice Department issued grand jury subpoenas demanding testimony from three Wall Street Journal reporters and one Washington Post national-security reporter, then withdrew those subpoenas after the newspapers challenged them in court. The journalists did not testify; compelled testimony of reporters in federal leak investigations is exceedingly rare because it can force reporters into contempt and possible jail. The withdrawal preserved reporters' legal protections and prevented a precedent that would chill newsgathering and whistleblowing on national-security matters.

1 source