Overview
- The New York Times filed a sealed motion on Wednesday to quash grand‑jury subpoenas served to several of its reporters who wrote about security concerns on the Qatari‑donated Boeing 747‑8.
- Multiple outlets report that Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and FBI Director Kash Patel personally led a fast, West Wing‑based leak probe that set up a ‘war room’ and asked some White House officials to hand over their cell phones on White House grounds.
- The subpoenas were issued by Manhattan U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said he authorized them while calling the reporters material witnesses rather than targets.
- Investigators sought interviews and devices from people who traveled on the Qatari plane, including Secret Service personnel, and at least one agency warned staff to consult counsel; some officials declined to surrender phones.
- The dispute revives questions about DOJ independence, press protections and oversight of Jay Clayton’s role given his nomination for DNI, and it sets up a court fight with potential policy and congressional fallout.